Louis van Gaal: Man City will NEVER be as big as Man Utd
Posted Sunday, November 02, 2014 by Dailystar.co.uk
LOUIS VAN GAAL goes into his first Manchester derby today insisting United will always be bigger than City.
Louis van Gaal has rubbished claims Manchester City have overtaken Manchester United to be the bigger club
Old Trafford legend Peter Schmeichel claimed last week that City - for whom he also played - should now be viewed as the bigger club.
United's treble-winning keeper based that on City's greater success recently, including winning the Premier League last season.
But United's Dutch boss stated: "I think it is so that the perception abroad is that Manchester United will always be bigger than City.
"Abroad we have more fans and followers on social media. It's like Bayern Munich is the biggest club in Germany.
"It's the same thing in Spain for Barcelona and Real Madrid. It will take a long time for Manchester City to reach that level."
Van Gaal warned, though, that this could be a dangerous time for United to go to the Etihad Stadium.
City have suffered a recent slump, drawing in Moscow in the Champions League after leading 2-0, losing at West Ham in the Premier League and being knocked out of the Capital One Cup by Newcastle.
It's being viewed, therefore, as a good time for United to play their neighbours.
But Van Gaal said: "I think it is being viewed as a good time to play Manchester City, but it is also dangerous.
"Ryan Giggs has explained that in his analysis of City to the players, so on this subject you can see two sides.
"It can be better to play against Manchester City now - I can see that. But on the other hand, they shall be more motivated as they are playing Manchester United.
"They are looking for a good result, like we are."
City will be without injured playmaker David Silva, but Van Gaal pointed out: "We are used to having injured players ourselves.
"We have had seven players injured all season. So what can I say? Just because they miss one player they are out of the match?
"We have also had Wayne Rooney out for three games through suspension. He is my captain and playmaker and he can also score goals.
"I didn't mention that in any interviews when he could not play. There are no excuses."
The United boss, who confirmed that Rooney returns today, is in an upbeat mood ahead of the Manc showdown.
He said: "We've drawn games we could have won - the margins are that small.
"When you see all our matches, we were always the better team. That is why I have a big trust and confidence in this team.
"We have always had the better chances and more possession. We only lose at times through height.
"That makes set plays difficult. Maybe you could advise me to buy tall players - but I am not like that.
"City have height, but they have scored only once from a set play - we have scored more."
United have winger Antonio Valencia available again, but on-loan striker Radamel Falcao is still injured.
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