Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal believes Wayne Rooney will be at his sharpest in Sunday's derby against Manchester City -- despite going five weeks without a game.
Rooney makes his comeback for his club after serving a three-match ban for his red card against West Ham, and while the England striker has a track record of needing match action to reach peak form, Van Gaal is convinced his captain is ready.
He told a news conference: "I think he is very fit because he is training very good. That was also my surprise that he always is very sharp in training sessions. I said that already in the USA [in preseason], and he has continued that attitude, so I am very happy.
"I think he is very fit to play. I don't have any doubt to play him."
United meet a City side who won both derbies last season by an aggregate score of 7-1 and who finished 22 points ahead of them, but Van Gaal is not envious when he sees the players at Manuel Pellegrini's disposal.
He added: "I am not jealous of the squad of Manchester City. I am proud of my players and that is the most important thing and when we play like a team then we have a big chance to win."
Van Gaal takes heart from the shows of character his side have produced after scoring late equalisers against West Bromwich Albion and Chelsea in their last two games.
He said: "Now already two times in a row we scored in the last minute and we were behind in the result -- what do you say about the spirit of this team? That's unbelievable.
"I think we shall grow and develop ourselves and we need a good result and it could be against Man City."
Van Gaal has warned his team not to get carried away by the emotion of the occasion and risk a red card.
He said: "That's also a main point in our preparation because you know that this is more than an emotional game, and we don't want a red card because when it is 11 against 10 it shall be very difficult to win this game, so that is also a part of our preparation."