Former Manchester United defender Steve Bruce has claimed that Manchester City have an advantage ahead of this weekend's derby between the two because of United's Champions League trip to Moscow in midweek.
The Red Devils travelled to Russia to face CSKA Moscow on Wednesday night, where they drew 1-1, while City remained at home for their victory against Sevilla.
The Manchester rivals meet for the first time this season at Old Trafford on Sunday.
"I've always thought that if you can get one of the big teams travelling back from Europe, especially somewhere like Russia, then of course it gives you a little bit of an advantage," the Hull City boss told talkSPORT.
"They have their own jets and everything now so it is a little bit different [to how it used to be] but they are not going to get back until four o'clock. That eats into preparation time.
"But I don't want to make excuses and my allegiance of course is always going to be to the red side of Manchester."
City top the Premier League table going into Sunday's match, while United are two points behind in third.
Steven Toplis
