The Norwegian midfielder came off the bench for her FA Women’s Super League debut against reigning champions Chelsea last week after joining the Club from Rosenborg on deadline day.
City welcome Manchester United to the Academy Stadium for Sunday’s 12:30 (UK) kick-off, with a sell-out crowd expected for yet another crunch WSL clash.
And Blakstad is relishing the chance to be involved in her first local Derby as a member of Gareth Taylor’s squad.
“I’m really looking forward to playing in a Manchester Derby, those are the best games,” she said.
“The focus was on (Chelsea) last week but of course, the Manchester Derby is great, and I understand it has a lot of feelings around it.
“Of course, the reason I’m here is to develop, and I want to play, that would be great but it’s all about winning that game so it’s up to Gareth (Taylor) to find the best team. If he picks me, I’ll be ready.
“It can go either way and that’s the best thing about (the Manchester Derby) – you don’t know the outcome beforehand.
“Much of how the game goes depends on the mentality you go into the game with.
“That’s an important thing for us at the weekend, we have to have the right mentality, just go out there and smash them.”
With City facing two of the FA WSL’s top three in the space of seven days, Blakstad has certainly had to hit the ground running since making the move to the Academy Stadium.
However, the Norwegian believes the experience has helped her to adapt quicker to the rigours of English football.
She reflected: “It’s so good, we always play matches against good opponents so I think coming here right into the level is a great experience.
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“It will take some time to adapt to the level, but I think to see how the top players are and meet them is a really good opportunity.
“I really like the top games, those are the best to play.
“For my part, it’s been coming here and meeting the best opponents at the beginning, I think that’s good to see the level and how I have to adapt to it.
“I really enjoy playing these games. It makes us sharper when we play against the best opponents, we have to be at our best level to face them.”
