We have faced our local rivals in eight league games since their arrival in the top flight for the 2019/20 campaign, coming out on top four times and drawing on three occasions.
However, with City currently level on points with champions Chelsea with six games remaining, Taylor cannot refute the importance of this weekend’s encounter.
ETIHAD DERBY | BUY YOUR TICKETS
We host Marc Skinner’s fourth-placed side at the Etihad Stadium at 12:30 (UK) on Saturday.
The boss knows his side can ill afford slip ups if we are to win a first league title since 2016.
“Yeah probably. It’d be hard to deny that,” he said in Friday’s pre-match press conference when asked if this is the biggest Manchester derby to date.
“For us certainly, the games are important now.
“United this week, Liverpool next, West Ham after that, Bristol City away, those games are super important as well, every game is now.
“The margin for error is really tight. Any dropped point can be quite damaging. We don’t underestimate any game. But I’d probably have to agree and say it’s one of the biggest derbies.”
While it’s undeniably a huge match for Taylor’s side, the boss says his squad are excited for the afternoon rather than apprehensive about the expectation.
“I don’t see it as pressure, it’s great to be involved in these games,” he stated.
“Derby at the Etihad, great support on TV. What more do you want?
City v Manchester United | Match preview
“More pressure comes from our standards. We put ourselves under that pressure.
“Good enough to win the game? More often than not we’ve done that well. Support group if it doesn’t happen. Get the details right we’ll be fine. Pressure side of it, we control what we can.”
A key element of winning high pressure matches comes from maintaining a calm outlook.
We were 3-1 winners at Old Trafford earlier this season despite a second half red card for defender Laia Aleixandri.
Having been a player himself, Taylor knows how difficult keeping your cool can be but has called on his players to do just that this weekend.
“It’s hard to control, hard to keep emotions intact. We’re never going to stop anyone celebrating because it’s a letting out of emotion.
“These games, it happens. Players played in big games, club or international football. More it happens the better it can be.”
City v Manchester United app coverage
The Official Man City App will provide comprehensive coverage of the seismic clash from one handy place.
Our Matchday Centre begins at 10:30 (UK) and will provide detailed text commentary, stats and analysis before, during and after the game.
A special broadcast of Matchday Live starts around 11:30 (UK) with special guests Tash Harding and Shaun Wright-Phillips joining Cel Spellman at the Etihad.
They will also answer viewer questions throughout, with audience participation actively encouraged on Matchday Live. To get in touch, send a WhatsApp to: +447537186538.
During the game you can also listen to live audio commentary while our text updates continue.
Make sure to have push notifications turned on as well, so you can be alerted to key moments in the action, including goals, red cards and the team news.
A comprehensive match report, plus reaction from Gareth Taylor and his players, will be published on mancity.com and our app shortly after the final whistle.
Short and extended highlights, as well as a CITY+ full-match replay, will be made available at 12:00 (UK) on Sunday 24 March.
