Man Utd legend Irwin predicts City score

Manchester United legend Denis Irwin says the Reds can handle the nerves when the pressure is on at the Etihad Stadium.

He should know. he played in 13 Manchester derbies.

Speaking to United’s Red View, Irwin said, "I was fortunate to play in 13 Manchester derbies and they were always massive games. But this is the one. This is the biggest I've ever known.

"It's the first time City have ever challenged for the title in the Premier League era and to have the game so late in the season means there's an awful lot at stake.

"There's no doubt both sets of players will be nervous. If you're not nervous before a game like this there's something wrong with you.

“It's human nature to have nerves in this situation. Everyone will have them - the manager, the players and fans. It's how you handle them that's important.

"The manager certainly won't let any nerves show. I always remember him being very calm in the lead-up to big matches.

“He'll just be telling the players about the importance of playing our own game and trying to stamp our authority on proceedings.

“In terms of our approach, I know we'll be going out to win the game. Yes, a draw is a decent result but it's not in our nature to go anywhere and play for a draw.

“We've never done that before and we can't start doing it now. We've got to play our normal game and just see how the game pans out. I think it'll be pretty tight early on, but I expect it to open up a bit in the second half.

"It's hard to call what the score will be. When the top teams have played each other this season we've seen a lot of goals and it actually wouldn't surprise me if Monday night was the same.

“Usually in big games you'd be expecting a 0-0 or 1-0 scoreline, but I wouldn't be shocked to see the derby finish up at, say, 2-2. And we'd be more than happy with that result of course.”

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