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Milner wary of wounded United

James Milner wants Manchester City to remain focused against Manchester United © Getty Images

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Manchester City midfielder James Milner has warned his team-mates to expect a stiff examination from Manchester United when the two sides meet in the FA Cup third round, as Sir Alex Ferguson's side look to avenge their 6-1 league defeat.

United visit Premier League leaders City for their cup clash on Sunday, in the first meeting between the two sides since Roberto Mancini's men humbled their arch-rivals at Old Trafford in October. While Milner knows his side savoured that memorable triumph, he is acutely aware United will have been wounded by the defeat and will be determined to exact revenge by knocking them out of the cup on their own patch.

"That will have hurt them bad," Milner said. "Everyone, from the players to the management, will be more than up for it. As much enjoyment as we got from it, they probably felt three times as much pain. We have got to be aware of that. It's down to us to put another good performance and build on our win over Liverpool.

"It was important that we got that result to go into the cup game. We want to defend our title. It's nice to be able to say that, but there is no tougher game than against Manchester United.

"After the last time we played them, we know they are going to fly out the traps. They will want to get one over us. We need to make sure we match that determination and will to win that they will give. Hopefully we can then go and play our football."

Despite losing against Sunderland to begin 2012, City are three points clear of United in the table after ending a busy festive schedule with an emphatic 3-0 victory over Liverpool.

Milner isn't convinced beating Manchester United in another competition will give them any advantage in the title race, calling instead on his side to retain their focus on winning every game.

"We have got to be single-minded," he said. "That's what we have done all year. There are a lot of top teams up there with us, not just Manchester United. Spurs are very strong and there's Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea.

"There are a lot of good teams pushing to finish at the top of the league. We will just do what we have done all year and concentrate on our own football.

"We want to beat United in both competitions and we will be trying as hard as we can in every single game.

"If we can win, maybe it will have a wider significance. But they have won so many titles over the last 20 years and you don't do that by being weak mentally and letting a defeat put you off the rest of the season.

"It won't make too much difference in the title race."

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