United hold no fears for old boy Hughes

Manchester City coach Mark Hughes says he has no fears about facing his former side Manchester United on Sunday, despite having seen them crush Arsenal in the Champions League semi-finals.

United produced a vintage display to win 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night, thereby securing a 4-1 aggregate victory, but former United hero Hughes says his side will approach the derby in high spirits.

“Irrespective of who we are up against on the pitch on Sunday, it’s about us being positive,” he told the club’s website on Wednesday.

“We are going there in good heart and with confidence. We have won our last four games and you have to go to Old Trafford in the belief you can get something out of it. We are in good shape.”

Hughes admitted to being impressed by United’s disposal of Arsenal but revealed he was just as concerned by the personnel sitting in the dugout.

“I was looking with interest in regard to who wasn’t playing as much as who was,” the Welshman said. “You look at the bench and they’ve still got great quality they can call upon.

“Sir Alex seems to have the knack of being able to get the rotation correct. The performances don’t seem to suffer when he makes those changes in personnel – and that’s because of the quality he has available to him.”

City hope to welcome back winger Shaun Wright-Phillips after an injured-enforced five-match absence as they look to secure seventh place in the table and a berth in next season’s UEFA Europa League.

“It’s a big game and one we need to get something out of,” Hughes said.

“If we pick up points from our last three matches we’ll go close.”