Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson heads into unchartered territory on Saturday, when he faces a Manchester City side with something to play for in the derby.The backdrop to this season's pivotal clash could hardly seem gloomier for United. Out of the Champions League and four points adrift of league leaders Chelsea with just four matches remaining, Ferguson might ordinarily have had a job raising spirits around Old Trafford.
But it is not just the sight of Wayne Rooney testing out the ankle injury that looks to have eased sufficiently for him to return, nor the presence of Owen Hargreaves in Ferguson's squad for the first time since September 2008, nor even Paul Scholes signing a one-year contract extension, that has brought a sense of focus back to United minds.
It is the knowledge that City, the team they have laughed at for so long, are just five wins away from joining them in the Champions League next season.
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