Douglas Maicon says Manchester City can get their season back on track with victory over Manchester United.

Maicon, who played in derbies in his native Brazil, as well as in Italy, knows from personal experience how victory in such encounters can change the course of a season.

"All over the world, the derby is a different game to any other," he said. "It's a passionate game, whether you're in Manchester, Milan or Brazil, and I'm sure Sunday will be just the same.

"I played for Cruzeiro against Atletico Mineiro, at a time when Mineiro were the better team. We won and it changed our whole season for the better.

"This is something built into derbies - it can give the team a boost of confidence for the rest of the season."