Neville keen to keep up the pressure on Gunners

Gary Neville says Manchester United will increase the pressure on Arsenal in the race for the Premiership title. United appeared to have given the champions a crucial advantage before the New Year with defeats at Middlesbrough and Blackburn, but they have clawed their way back and Tuesday's 1-0 win at Birmingham – courtesy of Ruud van Nistelrooy's 26th goal of the season for the club – means the Old Trafford side are now three points adrift of Arsène Wenger's men.

Neville is looking for United to increase the pressure at the top by winning in Sunday's Manchester derby and making it more important for Arsenal to win later in the day at Newcastle United. The England full-back insists that the fate of Sir Alex Ferguson's side is in their own hands and that they have a fresh squad going into a demanding part of the season despite chasing four trophies.

"It is imperative that we keep pace with Arsenal," Neville said. "We've got a game on Sunday and, if we win the derby, we go level with them on points for a couple of hours and it puts a bit more pressure on them going to Newcastle.

"It is in our hands. We've got to go to Arsenal still. We know if we win every game we will be champions – and that's the position you like to be in.

"It's going to be very difficult because they are a good side as well, but I think all you can ask at this stage of the season is that you're in the hunt. That's the situation we always try to be in coming into February and March, but we know we need to keep the pressure on Arsenal.

"We've got a momentum building now and I think Arsenal will be aware of us. I wouldn't say they are panicking, but they'll be aware we are not going to go away too easily.

"The manager mentioned that you have to keep knocking on the door and then hopefully it opens somewhere down the line."

Neville said: "There was a time when we were struggling away from home. Around Christmas we had two disappointing performances at Blackburn and Middlesbrough. I don't know why it was but we are looking like we are going to score more goals. But against Birmingham it was down to resilient defending and a poached goal – and we've certainly got the best in the business in doing that in Ruud van Nistelrooy.

"We've also got all our players back. Everyone is fit and raring to go. Apart from Mikäel Silvestre and Ryan Giggs, everyone has had a good rest this season at some stage which means we are fresh going into the run-in.

"We've got the league, the FA Cup, two Champions' League games in a week with Juventus and the Worthington Cup final all coming up in a short space of time. From now on there is no respite for us – but, if you are going to win trophies, that's the way it is going to be."

As for Birmingham, their defeat to United means they have collected one point from their last six league outings and, after being in mid-table for much of the season, they are now too close to the relegation dogfight for comfort. But Birmingham plc chairman, David Sullivan, has delivered a "carry on spending" message even if City lose their top-flight status after one season to ensure the financial security of the club.

The Blues spent £9m during the transfer window to confirm their regard for manager Steve Bruce. Sullivan said: "We have made the decision to spend large sums of money in recognition of the belief we have in Steve Bruce and also to ensure that, as major shareholders, we invest in the club to give it our best shot of retaining Premiership status.

"Relegation is a daunting prospect and every time we commit the club to buying another player we risk financial difficulties in the future. But myself, and my two partners David and Ralph Gold, agreed that in the unlikely event of relegation we will put more millions into the club to keep it afloat even though it is money we will probably never see again.

"We are ambitious and serious about the success of this club and we have pledged to it not only our futures but, more importantly, our hard-earned cash."