Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini has claimed that his side "expect" to beat fierce local rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford this evening.

City travel to their neighbours looking to close the gap on Premier League leaders Chelsea to three points, and the Chilean boss is confident of victory.

He told reporters: "It's very important to be a consistent team from now to the end of the season, starting against United.

"We also expect to go and win there, but not just because United have had a difficult season. If we play a good game, of course we have the chance to win it. We want to try to perform better in the bigger games than we have done.

"We want to win them all, but I think it's important for us to show the level of what we've got and I think we've got the level. We're not as far away as many people would have us. I've got no doubt it will improve and I want us to show we're still in there fighting."

City were 5-0 winners against Fulham on Saturday.