Goater on Manchester derby

By Chris Bevan

The players should know what it means but it is not about being a quality player, you cannot just rely on your ability to get you through these games Shaun Goater

Whatever the outcome of Saturday's 146th Manchester derby, it is inevitable United fans will use the occasion to make some reference to City's continuing trophy drought.

Last February marked 30 years since the Blues won any significant silverware - something that Reds fans, who have seen their side collect more than a few pots during that time, like to mention at every opportunity.

Derby games used to be a way for United to hammer home their dominance - City managed only one win in 21 years from 1981 - but times have changed.

Stuart Pearce's side may still be waiting for some significant success but at least they have been able to salvage some local pride in the last few years.

Since City cult hero Shaun Goater scored twice to help the Blues beat United 3-1 in Maine Road's final derby in 2002, they have matched their rivals win-for-win in the Premiership.

City have lost only three of the last eight derbys and dealt out 4-1 and 3-1 defeats in 2004 and 2006 respectively.

And Goater, who also grabbed a late equaliser nine seconds after coming off the bench in the return game in the 2002/03 season, is confident the Blues can claim their first victory at Old Trafford since Denis Law's famous backheeled winner in 1974.

He told BBC Sport: "The most important thing about Saturday for City is that they remember recent history without getting too complacent.

The Goat was awarded the MBE in 2003

"I am sure the players know what it means to our fans but the problem sometimes is if you have so many foreign players.

"They may say they know what the significance of the game is - but translating it is not always so easy.

"At City though there is still that core of English players like Joey Barton to say 'look, this is what it is about' - and of course the younger players coming through understand it too.

"Although somebody like Micah Richards hasn't played in many derbies, he has sat on the sidelines at these games before when he was in the youth academy.

"When you've been at three of four you know what it means to supporters because you have seen the passion coming through from the stands."

It was United who brought Goater over to England as a teenager - but it was with City he had his best days, scoring 103 goals in 211 games to cement his place in the fans' hearts.

UNITED v CITY: PREMIERSHIP GAMES AT OLD TRAFFORD September 2005: Utd 1-1 City November 2004: 1-1 December 2003: 3-1 February 2003: 1-1 April 2001: 1-1 February 1996: 2-1 November 1994: 5-0 April 1994: 2-0 December 1992: 2-1

The 36-year-old left City in 2003 for spells with Reading and Southend and ended his playing days in May to set up a professional team in his native Bermuda.

But he is back in the UK promoting his autobiography 'Feed the Goat' and will be an avid spectator at Saturday's game.

Goater himself admits that his style was not always easy on the eye - but he feels pride and passion will be more important than flamboyance and flair at Old Trafford.

"Sometimes it is not about playing well yourself individually but stopping others," he explained.

"You think to yourself 'I am not having the best of games today - but he isn't going to have a good game either'.

"The fans realise it. They may have seen me miscontrol the ball but then they saw what I was putting in when I didn't have it to help my team-mates, my boys. That is all they want to see.

"And the game itself can come down to competing, and who wants it more.

"The players should know what it means but it is not about being a quality player, you cannot just rely on your ability to get you through these games.

"You have to battle because if you wait to produce the goods then by the time you have beaten three men and scored in the top corner the game could be all over."

The key man for them will be Cristiano Ronaldo because when he is on his game he is unstoppable Shaun Goater

Sir Alex Ferguson's side undoubtedly have more men capable of doing the above than City but Goater says City still have every chance.

"United have talent all over the pitch and once you start listing their dangermen you don't stop," he added.

"The key man for them will be Cristiano Ronaldo because when he is on his game he is unstoppable but he is the sort of player who can be easy to frustrate.

"For us, a lot will rest on Joey. He will have to protect the defence and offer creativity for the attack.

"But if we go ahead we should not get too excited and if we go a goal behind then we should not get too down because there is always time to pull it back.

"It is important to remain focused - then anything is possible."