Jack Grealish ready for first ‘massive’ Manchester derby - and says it’s a game Manchester City ‘need to win’

The 26-year-old knows the significance of the clash with Manchester United on Sunday.
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Jack Grealish has claimed Sunday’s Manchester derby is a game that Manchester City ‘need to win’ as they look to outrun Liverpool in the race for the Premier League title.

Pep Guardiola’s men head into this weekend six points clear of Jurgen Klopp’s men at the top of the table, although Liverpool do have a game in hand on the reigning champions.

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However, that will change before City’s clash against Manchester United at the Etihad, with the Merseyside club hosting West Ham United just over 24 hours before the derby.

Jack Grealish scored Manchester City’s second in he 2-0 win over Peterborough United. Credit: Getty.Jack Grealish scored Manchester City’s second in he 2-0 win over Peterborough United. Credit: Getty.
Jack Grealish scored Manchester City’s second in he 2-0 win over Peterborough United. Credit: Getty.

Given how tight it is at the top of table, Grealish knows the importance of taking maximum points this weekend, while he’ll also be hoping to play in the fixture for the first time.

The former Villa man is well-versed when it comes to the second-city derby, but he’s yet to face United as a City player after he was an unused substitute when the sides met at Old Trafford in November.

“It is a massive game. It is a game we are going to go into with full confidence and it is a game that we need to win,” the attacker said.

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“It is going to be a good one. It is my first Manchester derby at the Etihad so I cannot wait. I am looking forward to it.”

Grealish was speaking after City beat Peterborough United 2-0 on Tuesday night to secure their place in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, and it’s not just Premier League glory that he and his City team-mates are aiming to lift before the end of the season.

“It [the FA Cup] means everything to us,” said City’s No.10. “It is so important, the manager said that before the game. He wants to win everything that we are in this season as you can imagine.

“Pep is a born winner. You could see the strength of our team tonight. We want to go out there and win every single game.”