Manchester United and Manchester City will collide for the first time in the Barclays Premier League 2014-15 season on Sunday at Etihad Stadium.

Louis van Gaal, who will be coaching in his first Manchester Derby, knows that City will be a favorite to win against his team after winning in both matches last season via a 7-1 aggregate score.

The Dutch manager, who replaced David Moyes during the offseason, is also aware that City finished 22 points ahead of them last season, but he is still convinced that they have a good chance of winning as long as they will play as a cohesive unit on Sunday.

Wayne Rooney, who holds the most number of goals in a Manchester Derby with 11, is expected to start for United after missing their last three matches to suspension for the red card that he took against West Ham.

Van Gaal played down speculation that Rooney is injured and that the striker needs more time to get himself into his rhythm after missing three games, reiterating that their team captain is ready to lead their squad against their rivals.

"I think he is very fit because he is training very good," van Gaal said of Rooney via ESPN FC. "That was also my surprise that he always is very sharp in training sessions. I said that already in the USA [in preseason], and he has continued that attitude, so I am very happy."

United midfielder Angel Di Maria will also get his first taste of Manchester Derby action where he will go up against familiar faces -- Pablo Zabaleta and Sergio Aguero, who are his teammates in Argentina national soccer team.

Di Maria said that he enjoys good relationship with both Aguero and Zabaleta, but he reiterated that he will forget about their friendship once they are on the pitch on Sunday.

"There are no friendships on the pitch," Di Maria said. "Once you're on the field, you forget all that. Everyone, no matter which side you are on, is fighting for the shirt. You are defending the pride of your colors."

Manchester City, the defending Barclays Premier League champions, are currently third in the table with 17 points, while Manchester United are eighth with 13 points in nine matches.

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