Derby snub not malicious - Pearce

Pearce and Ferguson will still go head-to-head on 5 May

Manager Stuart Pearce said Manchester City's refusal to move this Saturday's derby game was done to help the fans - not to spite rivals Manchester United.

United had asked for the tie to be moved to Sunday to give them more time after the Champions League defeat by AC Milan but City turned down their plea.

Pearce said: "We have not made this decision to spite Manchester United.

"We felt it was totally unfair to supporters, who had spent a lot of money on travel and tickets."

City had a match against Everton re-arranged at short notice last season and Pearce said the lessons from that match prompted his decision this time around.

"On that occasion, we received letter after letter, from both our fans and Everton's, with respect to travelling plans that had been made on the basis of the game being played a day earlier," explained Pearce.

The game might actually work in Manchester United's favour. They will have an extra day to prepare for their match against Chelsea next week Stuart Pearce

"The list of problems we encountered was endless and that's why this game wasn't moved."

United only arrived back in Manchester in the early hours of Thursday after their 5-3 defeat at the San Siro.

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson was unhappy that his title-chasing squad would have to return to action so soon and had put in a request to the Premier League, City and Sky TV to move the game.

Although Sky agreed to switch the match, both City and Premiership officials ruled it out, with the League wanting to maintain the tournament's "integrity".

Ferguson had complained: "It is an unfair decision. We have not had much help from Premier League but we will be there on Saturday."

However, Pearce believes United could yet benefit from not having the tie switched, as United, who are five points clear of Chelsea at the top of the Premiership table, prepare to take on the Blues at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.

"The game might actually work in Manchester United's favour," added Pearce.

"They will have an extra day to prepare for their match against Chelsea next week."