Manager Louis van Gaal has played down his role in Manchester United’s revival, insisting his players should take all the credit for the form that has seen them jump above Manchester City ahead of Sundays derby.

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Van Gaal’s first Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium last November was one to forget for the Dutchman. He was all smiles before kick-off, even agreeing to requests for selfies from the City fans, but the day ended in disappointment as United lost 1-0 after playing 51 minutes with 10 men following the dismissal of Chris Smalling.

United dropped to 10th in the standings, but five months on, the tables have turned. United are third, one point above City after a run of five straight league wins.

Van Gaal is often viewed as something of an egotist, but he rejected the opportunity to take credit for his team’s recent improvement.

“The key are the players,” the United boss told MUTV when asked for the reason behind the improvement. “The players are developing themselves in the process we have done with each other, and I believe it is not only the last five matches.

“In more than 20 games we have only lost two times. It is a long row of matches. You have very good performances and you have bad performances but at the end the result is good and the key is always the players.

“They have to do it at the right time. There is always resistance. We have one more point than City now, and we are just behind second in the table (Arsenal) so that speaks for themselves.”

Meanwhile, opposite number Manuel Pellegrini is expecting an “intense” battle which is given extra spice given the tiny gap between the sides in the table.

He said: “It is difficult to have a more intense match than you have in the Premier League every week but of course you add a little bit more for a derby of the city. Both teams want to win.

“It is important to be the winning team in the city – that gives an extra plus for the game, not only intensity is better but quality. Both teams have very good players and both managers like to play an attacking system so I hope (for a good game for) the fans, for whom you play, and after that I hope we can win.”

Pellegrini has led his side to four consecutive league wins over their rivals and he believes the blue half of Manchester are now viewed differently by their neighbours.

He said: “I think that they have a lot of respect for our team because last year it was the team that dominated not only the derby but I think we dominated also the Premier League. It is not easy for a team.”