Thorpe relishing prospect of league title in derby

Manchester United Under-21s captain Tom Thorpe is savouring the opportunity of clinching the Premier League title with back-to-back meetings with Manchester United.

Should the Red Devils claim victory at Old Trafford on Tuesday evening, Warren Joyce’s men will require just a single point from their final fixture of the season, at the home of Manchester City.

After the recent results of Chelsea and Liverpool fell in favour of United, the Manchester derbies could be the difference between success and failure for the youngsters. However, Thorpe believes the prospect of sealing success in front of their noisy neighbours will only motivate his team further.

“If there are two games you want to win, regardless of the title, it’s the games against City,” the defender said. “Added to that, if we win the first one, then we’ll be right up there for the title. They are two really big games and obviously we’re all focused on trying to win them.

“Quite a few of the lads in our team are local boys and have grown up through the ranks, playing against City all the time. We want to beat City – that’s the main aim. Knowing that there’s something else added on top of that [the chance to win the title] makes it even bigger.”

Thorpe narrowly missed out on the title last season after a 2-1 defeat to the Blues, but after an impressive 4-1 victory against the Citizens earlier in the season – which saw United lift the Manchester Senior Cup – he will be hoping to go one better this season.

“I think it will give us a bit of confidence going into the game,” Thorpe added. “If somebody can pop up and score another four goals against City that would be great, but it could be a different team that we’re playing against or different players playing for us. It’s a big game and it’ll be tough but we’re relishing it.

“Last year was a bit of a disappointment,” the captain added. “We got all the way through to the play-offs and then lost. We want to bounce back this year and win the title.”

Tom Thorpe has made 17 appearances for the Under-21s this season, scoring two goals.