Ferguson tips Giggs for star role

Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson expects Ryan Giggs to have a big impact in Saturday's derby with Manchester City - and for a long time to come.

Ferguson said: "I can always sense when Ryan is coming to the boil. When he gets into those pockets of form we know he is capable of, he is devastating."

And Ferguson feels Giggs can go on to challenge Sir Bobby Charlton's all-time appearance record for United.

"Ryan is 71 games behind, it is a realistic target," added Ferguson.

News conference: Manchester City boss Stuart Pearce

As for the present, Ferguson is delighted with the form of his Premiership leaders going into the match against their neighbours.

He said: "The football we have been playing recently is as good as anything that we have seen over the past few years.

"To win the league playing like that must be a great motivation for them all."

However, opposing number Stuart Pearce remains optimistic that his team can knock Ferguson's men out of their stride and give City fans a boost.

He said: "It would be nice to give our fans something else to celebrate.

"I know exactly how much they would love it if we could win tomorrow.

"In the past there has been a lot of talk about United's big games nowadays being against Liverpool and Chelsea.

"But I am sure some of their fans live in this city too and they won't want to go into work knowing our supporters are the ones who have the bragging rights."

But Pearce is also aware that he sends his team out to face a side who are at the top of their game.

"At the start of the season I would have said Arsenal were the best passing team in the league," he added. "At the moment, it is United."