Thursday 22 October 2015 23:57, UK
Manchester United's players have returned home from Russia with less than three days to prepare for Sunday's derby clash at Old Trafford.
United claimed a 1-1 draw with CSKA Moscow in the Champions League on Wednesday night but did not make it back to Manchester until tea-time on Thursday.
Louis van Gaal's men face the Premier League leaders on Sunday at 2.05pm, and the Dutchman admitted before the journey to Moscow - a 3,200 mile round-trip - that he thought City would have an advantage because of United's exertions.
Manuel Pellegrini's men also played in the Champions League on Wednesday, but they were at home to Sevilla and claimed a morale-boosting 2-1 victory.
"Every club at the top of the league has the same problems. But now Manchester City has a benefit because they are playing at home and that is a difference," Van Gaal said before leaving for Russia.
"You have the benefit of the recuperation. Manchester City don't have the travel we have so they have more rest.
"There is nothing you can do. They have the benefit.
"We do a lot of things to try and help. We have cold baths, we have warm baths, less training sessions and practice so the freshness is good enough to beat City."
Watch the Manchester derby live on Sky Sports 1 HD on Sunday - coverage from Old Trafford starts at 2.00pm.
