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Moyes warns Pellegrini about boast

David Moyes claims Manchester United aren't far behind Manchester City in terms of quality © Getty Images

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David Moyes has warned Manuel Pellegrini that his claim City are the biggest club in Manchester could come back to bite him ahead of Tuesday's derby.

Title-chasing City head to Old Trafford as favourites with Premier League champions United languishing in seventh.

"United had lots and lots of seasons of domination," said Moyes. "I don't think I would have turned around and said we were the only club in Manchester because football changes, it goes in cycles."

Smalling disciplined

Chris Smalling missed the West Ham match with a hamstring injury © PA Photos

• David Moyes has confirmed defender Chris Smalling has been disciplined after being photographed out in the early hours of Sunday morning, apparently singing in the streets of Manchester.
• Smalling had stayed in the north-west due to a hamstring injury while his United teammates travelled to London for their match at West Ham.
• Asked if he had seen the pictures of Smalling, Moyes said: "I've dealt with it and I've spoken to Chris. That would be as much as I would want to say on it."
• In January, Smalling was also pictured appearing to dress up as a suicide bomber for a private party.

City are six points off leaders Chelsea with a game in hand while United are looking to avoid back-to-back home humiliations in the league following their 3-0 drubbing by title-chasing Liverpool.

United are effectively fighting only for pride tonight but Moyes insists they will be battling City for the top players in the transfer market in the summer before competing with them for trophies.

He said: "This club has a spending power, too. I've not been told at any time that they don't have that and I think the club will compete."

Moyes suffered a humiliating 4-1 defeat at the Etihad Stadium on his Manchester derby debut in September.

Yet that setback and the 12-point gap between the two sides has not convinced Moyes that United trail their neighbours in terms of quality.

"It's important to show the level of what we have - we're not as far away as many would have us," he said.

"I've no doubt it will improve and I want us to show we are still in there fighting. Obviously it means a lot more to supporters and in the city if you win a derby game."

Moyes should welcome back defenders Jonny Evans (calf) and Rio Ferdinand (back) from injury after they sat out the 2-0 win at West Ham on Saturday. Chris Smalling (hamstring) remains a doubt.

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