MANCHESTER UNITED star Jesse Lingard has insisted friendships must be put on ahead ahead of the Manchester City clash.
The Red Devils can cut the gap on Pep Guardiola‘s men to just five points with a win at Old Trafford on Sunday, and inflict the Citizens’ first loss of the Premier League season.
Lingard – who has netted three times in his last two top-flight games – has a close relationship with Raheem Sterling, and a number of fellow England internationals.
Speaking to United Review, Sunday’s official match-day programme, he said: “You know quite a lot of them [City’s Academy players] growing up, and through the England set-up as well.
“I’m good friends with Raheem [Sterling] off the pitch. But when you’re on the pitch, there are no friends and we’re there to do a job and win the game.”
The ex-Brighton and Leicester loanee has been a key figure for United in recent weeks, notably netting a brace against Arsenal last week, and scoring a sensational solo goal against Watford.
Lingard has only made three Premier League starts this campaign, but after being selected in the starting XI for the last two matches, he is confident his side can get the better of City.
He added: “I am confident. It’s two great teams going out there and you don’t know what the game is going to be like.
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“It might be a battle; it might not be pretty. But if we come out on top, it’s always good for the city of Manchester.
“We need to make sure that Manchester is red at the end of the day. Like us, they have lots of big players.
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“When [Kevin] De Bruyne‘s on the ball, he’s always got that eye for a killer pass that can put a player one on one with the keeper, and Raheem Sterling’s been popping up with the late goals.
“It’s going to be full-on for 90-plus minutes. We need to be on point until that whistle goes, so everyone needs to stay highly-concentrated throughout.
“As long as we start the game well, like we did at Arsenal, I don’t see any reason why we can’t win.”
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