Moyes: United 'not as far away as many people believe'

David Moyes wants Manchester United to prove they are still a force to be reckoned with by beating Manchester City tomorrow night.

City are big favourites for the derby at Old Trafford due to their higher league standing and the fact that United have struggled against the top teams in the league this year.

A 1-0 victory against Arsenal aside, Moyes’ men have not beaten any of the sides in the top nine in what has been a truly disappointing maiden season for the Scot.

Moyes wants that to change on Tuesday though.

“We we want to try and perform better in the bigger games than what we have done,” the United manager said.

“It will be important for us to show the level of what we have got.

“I think we have got the level and we are not as far away as many people would have us and I have no doubt it will improve. We want to show we are still in there fighting.

“We will do everything we can to win. We go out to win every game, not just the derby game.

“Obviously it means a lot more to the supporters and the city if you win a derby game.”

United are 12 points behind City, and Manuel Pellegrini's men have played two less matches.

The Red Devils go into the match on the back of encouraging wins against Olympiacos and West Ham though.

United had to field Michael Carrick at centre-half at Upton Park because of injuries to Chris Smalling, Jonny Evans and Rio Ferdinand. Nemanja Vidic was also absent through suspension.

The United captain remains banned for the visit of City, but Moyes would not give away anything about the fitness of the three injured players.

“For this Barclays Premier League game we’ll do everything we possibly can to get the [injured] players back,” was all that Moyes would say when questioned on the matter at his pre-match press conference.