Moyes was appointed as the new United boss in May after Ferguson decided to retire following a trophy-laden 27-year spell in charge at Old Trafford.
United have made a stuttering start to the defence of their Premier League title, collecting just seven points from their four games so far, leading to questions from some quarters as to whether the ex-Everton manager is the right man for the job.
And their season gets no easier this Sunday, as they face a trip to the Etihad Stadium for a local derby against last term's runners-up Manchester City.
"It is impossible not to be under a lot of pressure replacing Alex Ferguson," the former Malaga and Real Madrid manager stated.
"Managing teams like Manchester United you are always under big pressure - and that's not bad because that is a good way to work because you know what you have to do."
"I don't need to be here to understand the importance of the derby against Manchester United, but working here and living everyday here it is more clear that it’s a special game," he added.
However, Pellegrini came out on top when his Villarreal side met Moyes’ Everton in UEFA Champions League qualifying in 2005 - a result the Chilean hopes to emulate on Sunday.
"I know he had some wrestles against Manchester City when he managed Everton, but I also had a good record against Everton when he was the manager of Everton!" he quipped.
