(Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images.)
Manchester City 'couldn't ask for a better game' to bounce back from Wednesday evening's 2-0 defeat at Juventus than Sunday's derby against Manchester United.
That is the view of former United great Rio Ferdinand, although the former England captain believes Ruben Amorim's side will pile on further misery to Pep Guardiola's players.
Goals from Dusan Vlahovic and Weston McKennie condemned City to defeat in Turin, in a result that leaves them clinging on for Champions League qualification in 22nd place in the league phase table.
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It also extended City's dismal run to one win in their last 10 matches and they head into Sunday's derby in dreadful form.
United have lost their last two games heading into Thursday evening's trip to Viktoria Plzen and while no side is particularly in form, Ferdinand feels his former side have a chance to take advantage of City's woes.
"Man City couldn’t ask for a better game than the one that’s coming up this weekend by the way. The Manchester derby," Ferdinand told TNT Sports.
"If they want to get themselves back on track, beating United won’t reinstall every bit of confidence and paper over all the cracks but it will go a long way to reinvigorating this team and squad if they were to get a result.
"But I’m backing the mighty Reds. They’re in great form as well by the way! It’s a battle of no confidence."