Manchester United striker Robin van Persie out of Manchester City clash

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal says he has been dreaming of beating rivals City in Sunday's derby at Old Trafford but will have to do so without Robin van Persie.

Van Persie said he was fit to feature in the game against City on Sunday after ankle trouble but Van Gaal has ruled him out.

'Most of the players are fit but being fit for me is different,' Van Gaal said.

'Robin is not fit enough to play.'

With City rocking after defeat at Crystal Palace on Monday, Van Gaal and his players have an opportunity they perhaps didn't expect to finish as high as second or third this season and avoid a Champions League qualifying fixture later in the summer.

The United boss wants his side to move towards that target by taking three points against City.

Van Gaal said: ' I dream of it. Every player should dream of the victory.

'Of course I want to win because it's a big step up the table also. If we win then third place is available.

'A few months ago, nobody would have thought about that, apart from me.

'If we win then the position in the table is good as we would then almost certainly be qualified for the top four. And if we are third it's better than the goal we set in pre-season.'

Credit: Ian Ladyman/SportsMail