Manchester: Manchester United fans should get used to fighting for trophies with bitter rivals Manchester City, manager Alex Ferguson said on Thursday.
United visit City on Monday holding a three-point advantage at the top of the Premier League, though City's superior goal difference means a win will move them ahead with two games left.
Ferguson said the investment City's owners have ploughed into the club makes it more likely that future derbies could also be title deciders.
"We have to get used to playing City in important games," Ferguson said. "They aren't going away. The financial support they have means that we are going to be playing them in a lot of big games."
Ferguson seemed relaxed ahead of the crunch match, despite acknowledging his side's recent slip-ups had let City back into the race. "I'm a confirmed masochist," he joked. "I joined about 26 years ago."
The United manager said City's recent resurgence meant the derby match had taken on even more significance than the clashes with traditional title rivals Liverpool.
"The importance at this moment in time supersedes the Liverpool games," Ferguson said. "They are our direct opponents now. Manchester City, without question, are up against us to win titles."
United and City have already played three times this season — United winning the Charity Shield and an FA Cup fixture, while City claimed a 6-1 win at Old Trafford in the first league game.
"I think the previous encounters this season are irrelevant. We've already met three times but the past is the past. It doesn't matter. It's all down to Monday."
"I suppose when the fixtures came out at the beginning of the season, everything was pointing to this game," said Ferguson, who has no injury worries ahead of the match. "But we are where we are and it doesn't matter what's happened before, who's dropped points or who hasn't dropped points. It was inevitable in a way. It doesn't matter what happened before, it really is all down to this game. It will be a fantastic atmosphere and I hope it lives up to the billing."
City manager Roberto Mancini has tried to play down the importance of the derby, insisting United are still favourites to take the title.
"He's probably wanting to take the pressure off his own players, whether that's possible. But it doesn't matter. It's not going to affect our approach or our attitude to the game," Ferguson said. "It's an important game. I think it will decide the title. We are in a better position than Man City. They have to win, we can draw or we can win. We'll be trying to win."
Ferguson, seeking his 13th Premier League title with United, said he trusted his players to perform in such a high pressure game.
"I think there's enough experience. Patrice Evra, Rio Ferdinand, even Wayne Rooney has amassed a lot of football in his short time in the game," he said. "Michael Carrick as well. There's enough experience in the camp to cope with this situation."
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