Lingard: Manchester derby ‘any other game’

Jesse Lingard told Sky Sports he is confident Manchester United can spoil Manchester City’s Premier League party on Saturday.

The Manchester derby offers City the ideal chance to make amends for the shock 3-0 loss at Liverpool in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal on Wednesday.

It was an uncharacteristic performance from City, whose form is epitomised by their 16-point lead over second-place United.

A victory on Saturday will see them wrap up the Premier League title against their rivals, but Lingard believes United can frustrate their rivals if they ignore the background noise.

“We have played there before and performed and did well, so I don’t see why we can’t do it again,” Lingard said. “The lads’ heads have to be right and we have to be 100 percent focused on our job and get the three points because that’s what we are playing for.”

Asked if it was more important because City can win the league, Lingard said it isn’t.

“You have to see it as just a game, because if you let other things come into play, it might affect your performance, so you have to go into it like any other game,” he said.

City secured a 2-1 win when the sides met at Old Trafford in December but they have not beaten United at the Etihad Stadium since November 2014.

They were held 0-0 at home last season and the 2015-16 meeting ended with a 1-0 win by United thanks to a goal by Marcus Rashford.

Rashford had only just made his first-team debut, and that memory that makes him want to defeat City once more.

“The team played brilliantly that game and we deserved to win,” Rashford said. “That feeling going away to a big team is something special. To do it together as a team, you hold it with you and it gives you the strength and motivation to continue doing it.”