There was a time when Manchester United would swagger into the homes of Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea and take what they wanted. Like highly skilled burglars wearing red and white.

Not so long ago, United fans would welcome trips to the Etihad Stadium, Anfield, the Emirates and Stamford Bridge as a chance to do some damage. They would look forward to an opportunity to beat a rival in their backyard. There's nothing more satisfying for a football fan.

But last season, it never looked likely. It felt like the supporters quickly came to dread the big games. They were greeted as trials to be endured rather than anything more positive.

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Part of that came from the manager, David Moyes. In 11 years as manager of Everton he never won at United, Liverpool, Arsenal or Chelsea. His record was 46 games and not one win.

It's an odd statistic given that Everton finished in the top eight in nine of Moyes' 11 full seasons in charge at Goodison Park. They also finished in the top five three times.

It was a run that Moyes extended during his time at Old Trafford. In the games at the Etihad Stadium, Anfield, the Emirates and Stamford Bridge, United lost three and drew one, conceding eight and scoring just twice. 

Moyes had no experience of winning the big games. Now, however, United have a manager who does. And with it, the optimism has returned. 

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Louis van Gaal's record in his first nine games as United manager is worse than Moyes' was last season. The Dutchman is a point worse off than Moyes was at this stage and has also overseen a 4-0 defeat to MK Dons in the Capital One Cup. Moyes' United beat Liverpool.

But just as there was a cautious optimism heading into the game against Chelsea at Old Trafford on Sunday, there's a feeling United are capable of getting a result at Manchester City this weekend. 

Part of that is because United now have Angel Di Maria and Radamel Falcao in their ranks. The fact City have thrown away a two-goal lead to draw in Moscow and lost to West Ham and Newcastle in their last three games has also played a part. But it's also down to Van Gaal and his record of finding a way to win the biggest games. 

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In two spells as Barcelona manager between 1997-2000 and 2003-2004 he only lost to Real Madrid once. In 30 derbies in more than 23 years as a manager in Holland, Spain and Germany he's won 17, drawn six and lost just seven. Moyes' record becomes even poorer in comparison.

Van Gaal has changed many things since arriving at Old Trafford. Everything from the playing staff to the shape of the tables in the canteen at Carrington. But it's his aura that's been the biggest difference.

It's something that he's developed over more than two decades by building successful teams capable of winning the most important games. And it's the reason United fans will head across Manchester this weekend with the quiet excitement that was missing last season.