Kenny Dalglish: Draw Against Chelsea Will Lift United's Confidence Ahead of Manchester Derby

Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish believes Manchester United's 1-1 draw against Chelsea has boosted the confidence of United players ahead of the weekend derby clash against Manchester City.

In the previous fixture, Louis van Gaal saw his side avoid defeat at Old Trafford as Robin van Persie's late strike cancelled Didier Drogba's second half header. The goal came in the stoppage time and the result has lifted the mood in the United camp as they prepare for the Manchester derby.

United make a short trip to the Etihad and they have skipper Wayne Rooney back for the clash against City. The England international completed his three-match ban and Van Gaal confirmed Rooney will start against City.

Dalglish has backed both clubs to go with an attacking mindset on Sunday.

"The draw with Chelsea last weekend would have stood the Reds' players in good stead and lifted their ­confidence," Dalglish told the Mirror.

"It has all the makings of a terrific game. As a neutral, you'd want to see a 4-4 draw and, with all the attacking might on display, it should be something like that.

"The best players on the pitch are attacking ones. If both teams go for it, it will be one hell of a game.

"The worrying thing is just how many players are getting injured in training, but I'm sure they're looking at that," he added.

Manuel Pellegrini's side come into this crucial weekend fixture without a win in the last three matches played in all competitions. They suffered defeats at the hands of West Ham United in the league and Newcastle United in the Capital One Cup earlier in the midweek in front of home fans.

City face CSKA Moscow in the Champions League fixture midweek. The former Liverpool manager says the European tie is a distraction for the Citizens and has warned United of a backlash from City during the weekend.

"A big ­distraction for City is their Champions League campaign. But if they beat CSKA Moscow at the Etihad on Wednesday, then ­qualification will come down to the final group game in Rome. They can still get through," the Anfiled favourite said.

"City will know they have to bounce back against United in the Manchester derby on Sunday. And the one thing you can say with some certainty is there should be goals. Which means it's bound to finish up 0-0!" Dalglish concluded.