Ashley Young: Manchester United are a point ahead of City in the table

Ashley Young admits he is desperate to avoid being part of the first Manchester United team to lose five straight games to Manchester City.

Last November's 1-0 victory at the Etihad Stadium was the fourth successive derby win for City. The last time they achieved that feat was 60 years ago.

And Young wants to end City's dominance on Sunday when the reigning Premier League champions come to Old Trafford.

"That's something you want to put right," the United winger said when asked about City's recent dominance in this fixture. "It will be another massive game."

He added: "We know it will be tough but as long as we can play the way we have shown, especially in the last few games, and add to that, it's going to be a great game and hopefully we will get the three points.

"We want to keep the momentum going and the positive play."

United go into the match as favourites after registering five straight league wins.

Young has been a regular in Louis van Gaal's team, leading to the winger being tipped to earn an England recall after 19 months in the wilderness.

But manager Roy Hodgson left him out of his squad to face Lithuania and Italy recently.

The former Aston Villa midfielder revealed the England boss did not call him to explain his absence from the 24-man party.

"There was no conversation (with Hodgson)," he added. "Obviously I will always want to represent my country.

“I was a little bit disappointed not to be in the squad, but I have just got to make sure I am playing well here at United and hopefully I will get the call at some time soon."

Watch the Manchester derby live on Sky Sports 1 from 3.30pm this Sunday.