Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville has predicted that his former club will fail to finish above bitter rivals City in the Premier League table this season.
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The Red Devils have overhauled their neighbours and currently occupy third spot, one place and a solitary point ahead of City, who lost their game in hand 2-1 against Crystal Palace last night.
United take on the Blues at Old Trafford on Sunday, when home manager Louis van Gaal can pile the pressure on opposite number Manuel Pellegrini and extend the gap between the two sides.
However, England coach Neville, who spent his entire career on the red side of Manchester and skippered the side with distinction under former boss Sir Alex Ferguson, does not expect United supporters to enjoy bragging rights come the end of the campaign.
The former full-back thinks Chelsea will hold on to top spot, followed by City, United and Arsenal.
Chelsea
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Arsenal
This was my 4 start of season. Gonna stick with it https://t.co/6JAXOKqAHm
— Gary Neville (@GNev2) April 7, 2015
City have won four consecutive derbies but arguably go into this weekend’s showdown as underdogs, given their recent poor run of form. In their last four fixtures on the road they have lost to Liverpool, Burnley, Barcelona and Palace respectively.
Having already exited all of the knock-out competitions, the spotlight is firmly on Pellegrini as the season reaches its climax.