Lindegaard plays down derby impact

Manchester United keeper Anders Lindegaard believes it is far too early to build Sunday's derby clash with City at Old Trafford into a title decider.

With both clubs blazing a trail at the top of the Premier League, this weekend's fixture has been eagerly anticipated for weeks.

But Lindegaard said: "Four games ago I would have said it will be between City and United. But Chelsea seem to be going well as well so you can't say it is just about United and City now. It is too early."

Not that Lindegaard lacks respect for Roberto Mancini's squad. Nothing could be further from the truth.

"City have looked very good," he said. "They have quality players in all positions and two for each one, just like us.

"There is no doubt it is going to be a tight race this year."

Lindegaard is not expecting the pre-match hype to extend to United's Carrington training ground.

Although his own experiences were at a much lower level in Denmark and Norway, the thing which struck Lindegaard when he joined from Aalesunds in January was the focus Ferguson and his staff devote to every game.

So, if it were not for the dressing room chatter and information gleaned from the media, no-one would actually know City were coming to Old Trafford.

"One of the things that impressed me most when I came to United is that every game is handled the same way," he said. "It doesn't matter whether it is Crawley at home or Chelsea away. It has always been very serious. It seems like one of the cornerstones of this club is to always take your opponent seriously."