Manchester United face the daunting task of stepping onto the Etihad Stadium pitch on Sunday and taking on their red-hot neighbours Manchester City, who have not lost a match since early December.
The Red Devils were actually enjoying a decent patch of form of their own lately, starting the calendar year unbeaten in seven matches across all competitions before losing to Fulham in heartbreaking fashion last weekend. They've since earned a bounce-back victory against Nottingham Forest in the midweek FA Cup fifth round matches, but any momentum they accrued from the earlier undefeated streak has all but evaporated.
Either way, United are coming up against a City side defending the treble they won last season, with the Sky Blues very much in contention to repeat that achievement this year.
However, a former Red Devil believes that his old side could flip the script against their rivals and pull off what would be a massive upset given the teams' respective recent histories.
Speaking to Live Casino Games, Quinton Fortune explained why United should see Sunday's derby as a chance to prove themselves against the league's standard-bearers while also putting one over on their neighbours.
"[I]t’s actually just another opportunity," Fortune said when asked if there's reason to fear City in the match. "Derbies over the years, it doesn’t matter how good we were doing, everything changes in that game.
"As soon as you play each other, the form you are in goes out the window. The players need to just look at this as an opportunity and I respect, it’s hard to say, one of the best teams in the world.
"Great! It’s a challenge, that’s why you play for Manchester United; you love challenges, you embrace these moments, this is why you wear the red jersey.
"It’s another opportunity for them to play against the best, show why you’re Manchester United."
With City heading into the match as huge favourites, Fortune says United should be using their underdog status as motivation.
"Take that, write it up, put it up in the changing room – use that. It’s a great place to be," he said. "That’s what it was like when we were at Manchester United; everyone was against us – fine, no problem. We’ve got each other and we’ve got the boss."
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