Hughes calls for united front

Published: 08 May 2009 - 15:08:00

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Manchester City manager Mark Hughes believes the key to beating Manchester United is graft as much as craft. The Welshman was able to overcome his former club twice when he was in charge of Blackburn and now he is hoping to have the Midas touch again on Sunday at Old Trafford. Hughes is not intimidated even though United secured their place in the Champions League final in midweek and could become the first side to retain the trophy. He has taken comfort from his own team's run of four successive wins that has kept them in sight of a Europa League place. He said: "You have to work very hard if you want to beat United and your goalkeeper usually has to play very well. I recall Brad Friedel putting in an outstanding performance in one of those games when I was at Blackburn. "It is about having belief in your own ability, going there, sticking your chest out and saying `come on test us, let's see what you have got' I sense from the atmosphere in and around the group our belief is growing. We now understand we are a good side."