First plays second at Old Trafford, with the Blues leading the way by two points having won seven and drawn one of their eight games so far.
De Jong said: "We're going there as number one and the aim is to stay number one. We feel we can do that but United will be confident as well, and they're playing at home, so it's a massive game for both of us. The pressure is still the same as it was last year but what has changed is that we are number one going into this derby."
"We just have to believe we can get those three points."
The midfielder insists the club's FA Cup semi-final triumph over United last season removed any semblance of an inferiority complex at City.
"Everyone was talking about that game and we proved we can beat them," he told the Manchester Evening News.
"But we don't have any points to prove now. We are top of the league so we just have to be confident and play as well as we have been doing."
Source: PA
Source: PA