MANCHESTER (AFP) - Manchester United captain Roy Keane has said memories of defeat in their last derby game will be pushed to one side when they face Manchester City at Old Trafford on Saturday.
City enjoyed a 4-1 home win over their local rivals when the teams last met in March but Republic of Ireland midfielder Keane said: "That's history; when you win a game you move on and when you lose a game you have to move on.
"At home we fancy our chances against most teams. The way they play, they will come and have a go.
"Kevin Keegan's a manager I have a lot of time for, they have one or two decent young players coming through so they will come and enjoy the occasion and we'll look forward to it as much as the City players will look forward to it."
But with United nine points off the leaders Keane knows the club cannot afford too many more reverses if they are to challenge Arsenal and Chelsea for the title.
"The number of points we're behind, we really can't afford any slip-ups."
City are without several senior players, Trevor Sinclair, Sun Jihai, Joey Barton and Claudio Reyna all injured.
"We have a few players missing, but I think the spirit is good," Keegan told his club's website, www.mcfc.co.uk.
City have not won at Old Trafford since 1974 when a goal from United great Denis Law condemned the Red Devils to relegation to the old Second Division.
"I am aware that City haven't won at Old Trafford for 30 years, because people keep telling me about it. but football is such a fascinating game because records are there to be broken," Keegan added.
"We have got to do it some time, so why not this week?" Keegan said.
11/05/2004 - 14:09 GMT - AFP