Zabaleta has told Man United they cannot use Robin van Persie’s absence from Tuesday’s derby as an excuse -- because City are without the injured Sergio Aguero.
He said "Van Persie is a top player and he scored great goals in the Champions League game. But also we don't have Sergio Aguero. Both teams will miss the main strikers,”
"I think they don't have an excuse for that because they still have very important players. They can play Rooney. Even if they don't have Van Persie they still have a very good team. We have to be aware of that.”
"Every derby is a special game. We have won at Old Trafford recently. Hopefully we can do it again.”