Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is confident his players will put thoughts of the derby to one side when they face Birmingham on Sunday.
With fourth place in the Premier League table the goal, Mancini is looking for nothing less than a victory at Eastlands. He believes a win over the Midlanders will then give them the confidence they need for next weekend's clash with United.
Mancini said: "I hope we have improved in the last three or four months. To improve you need to work every day. In the next six months, a year, we can improve a lot.
"Now we are focused on Birmingham, not United, as the next game is the most important. This will be a difficult match and after we will think about United."
Mancini is hoping Carlos Tevez can stay injury-free until the end of the season and he has also hailed the recent contribution of Craig Bellamy, who took his tally to 10 goals at the weekend.
There have been suggestions the pair do not get on, but Mancini said: "I have a good relationship with him and the other players as I respect them all.
"I am very happy with Craig. He works very well in training and that is important for me. It is vital a player works for the team."
Brazilian full-back Sylvinho is struggling to be fit in time after suffering a calf injury at Turf Moor while Micah Richards is also doubtful with a knee problem.
Pablo Zabaleta remains sidelined through suspension while Stephen Ireland has an ankle injury and misses out. Meanwhile, City's young Swedish striker John Guidetti is set to finalise a loan move back to his homeland.
The 17-year-old was set to sign for Djurgarden - but instead it now looks as if he will instead join their rivals Brommapojkarna.
