Soccer: Dunne backs United to do City a favour

Richard Dunne is confident that Manchester City will be thrown a relegation lifeline on Saturday by the most unlikely of saviours.

Manchester United can do their neighbours City a massive favour by beating Derby at Old Trafford.

The Reds will receive the Premiership trophy after the game and Dunne feels this will make Alex Ferguson's side even more determined to win.

The City defender is banking on a home victory which would maintain his side's hopes of beating the drop ahead of their match against Ipswich at Portman Road on Monday.

But if Derby, Middlesbrough and West Ham all win on Saturday then City will be relegated back to the Nationwide League without kicking a ball.

"It's a big day for us even though we are not playing and we need United to do us a favour really," said Dunne.

"I'm sure they will win and they usually do every year. So I can't see any reason why they won't this year.

"I admit it's not something you like, relying on other people, but I think with them collecting the trophy they will want to win.

"They will want to put on a show for their own fans and get the result that we want.

"They will be looking to please their own fans and with their home form the fans will be expecting them to win.

"They're the best team in the country, they're all professional lads and there's no doubt in anyone's mind here that they will go out and do a normal job.

"Hopefully they will go out and play in a party mood and destroy Derby. If they do then it will be up to us on Monday.

"We've got to go and try and win at Ipswich. If we can do that then it will go to the final weekend."

City manager Joe Royle will also be rooting for United and said: "We do need a lift. We need a helping hand and we need our neighbours to win.

"But it's not just United, there are three things in total. We also want Middlesbrough to lose and also West Ham in a perfect world. I daren't look at the results until five o'clock on Saturday."

Apart from long-term casualties Kevin Horlock and Paul Ritchie, Shaun Goater is City's only current injury doubt.

Goater, whose deflected goal gave City a priceless win over West Ham last weekend, has a groin strain and is due to resume training on Saturday.