Thursday 9th April 2015 20:42
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Wayne Rooney: The United striker scored this wonder strike against City in 2011.
Wayne Rooney is determined to put a smile back on the faces of Manchester United fans by winning Sunday's derby against City at Old Trafford.
Rooney has enjoyed a good record against City since joining United in 2004 and is the leading scorer in Manchester derby history with 11 goals, the most famous of which came in 2011 when he scored an acrobatic late winner in a 2-1 victory for United at Old Trafford.
United have struggled in recent derby fixtures, however, losing six of the last seven, including four straight and the last three fixtures at Old Trafford.
The last time United won the derby was in Alex Ferguson’s last season in charge when Robin van Persie’s dramatic injury-time winner on December 9, 2012 earned them a 3-2 win at the Etihad Stadium.
Rooney is determined to put an end to that run of defeats on Sunday and ensure it is the red half of Manchester that have bragging rights when the final whistle goes.
"You play for Man United, you want to win these derby games," Rooney told MUTV.
"We want to give United fans something to smile about when they go to work on Monday morning, we want them to be the ones to be able to give out the banter to Manchester City fans at work.
"I think it's a very important game for Manchester United and Manchester City... for the fans and, for me, it's a massive game of pride."
As well as pride, Rooney knows the game could help United solidify their hold on third place as they go into the game a point ahead of their rivals after City lost to Crystal Palace on Monday.
Louis van Gaal has the option of welcoming back van Persie after he returned to training following an ankle injury.
But the United boss is likely to stick with a front three of Rooney, Juan Mata and Ashley Young, who have served him so well in van Persie's absence.
Watch Manchester United v Manchester City live on Sky Sports 1 HD this Sunday from 3.30pm.
via TEAMtalk | Manchester Utd http://ift.tt/1y9wVGy
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