Comeback kings United have renewed belief ahead of derby

Not since the Nou Camp final of 1999, on arguably the club's greatest-ever night, when the Red Devils scored twice in stoppage time against Bayern Munich to complete the treble, have United landed such a sucker punch on one of Europe's true heavyweights.

Turin was also the setting for United heroics that year as Alex Ferguson's side came from 2-0 down to beat Juventus 3-2 in the second leg of the semi-final.

And while manager Jose Mourinho was quick to point out the chasm that still exists between that United vintage and his current crop, this was just the boost he and his side needed before facing the relentless force of Premier League champions Manchester City on Sunday.

"When Manchester United had heroics here, Manchester United was the best team," said Mourinho after Wednesday's win.

"(It) is a different situation but it is a fantastic victory for us. It's not just about the points we lost at home, it's about the feeling of how well we played."

United had been outclassed by the Italian champions on home soil two weeks ago, the 1-0 scoreline barely a reflection of their dominance.

Mourinho talked of defenders Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci giving classes at Harvard University on how to defend, while United's centre-back Chris Smalling admitted to being in awe of Juventus, the losing Champions League finalists two years ago.

Cristiano Ronaldo's stunning first Champions League goal for the club had Juventus four minutes away from stretching their unbeaten start to the season to 15 games and booking their place in the last 16.

However, for all of United's troubles so far this season, they do not lack fight, as Mourinho's men once again hauled themselves off the canvas to hit back in the final stages to take a huge step towards qualifying for the knockout phase.

- Impact subs -

Having not made a single change at Old Trafford two weeks ago, Mourinho's substitutions made a big impact.

Unsettled by the presence of Marouane Fellaini, Bonucci turned the ball into his own net for United's winner after Juan Mata's perfectly executed free-kick brought the visitors level.

After overturning a 2-0 deficit against Newcastle to win 3-2 just before the last international break, fightbacks have also helped Mourinho so far negotiate a devilishly difficult run of fixtures many believed would his last in charge.

Only a 96th-minute equaliser for Chelsea prevented another come-from-behind win against Mourinho's former side, while United also won late on at Bournemouth at the weekend after what their manager described as a "chaotic" first-half performance.

That never-say-die attitude will be needed for the derby on Sunday, with City averaging four goals a game at home in the Premier League this season.

"I want the feeling of it doesn't matter where we go, we go to compete, and I think this is also a feeling that the Manchester United supporters around the world they want to have," said Mourinho.

United's failure to finish above City in any of the five seasons since Ferguson's retirement has been symptomatic of their slide from being one of Europe's powerhouses to second best in their own city.

Defeat at the Etihad would see them fall 12 points behind the Premier League leaders after just 12 games.

"I think it's always good to be the outsider, so people expect bad of us and then we surprise people," said United midfielder Paul Pogba.

Having partied like it's 1999, United need to dig deep again and show that in 2018 they can turn the tide against the blue half of City.