The question of who rules Manchester will be renewed at Old Trafford on Sunday, after Manchester City midfielder Elliot Anderson declared his new club to be the “Kings of Manchester” ahead of the derby.
Anderson, who joined City from Nottingham Forest for £116m in the summer, made the remark during his first interview with the club. It has since added an extra edge to a fixture already charged with local rivalry and sporting significance.
“It’s one of the biggest derbies in the world and for as long as I’ve known Manchester, City have been the kings of Manchester,” Anderson said. “It’ll be a great fixture and I can’t wait to be involved in something like that.”
Manchester derby rivalry enters a new chapter
City head coach Enzo Maresca defended the midfielder’s assessment, pointing to the club’s dominance during Anderson’s lifetime. City have won eight Premier League titles in the past 15 years, while United’s last league triumph came under Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013.
“Probably the reason why Elliot said that was that he grew up in the last 15 years,” Maresca said. “Manchester City were unbelievable with what they achieved. It’s normal Elliot said that.
“If you go back, then it’s a different picture, but when he grew up Manchester City were dominant.”
The City manager described the derby as a contest that carries significance well beyond the league table, with both clubs competing for local pride as well as points.
“It’s special because it’s two teams in the same city. It’s special for the fans, the club, for everyone,” Maresca said. “I’m very excited. These are the games I like. These are the games we want.”
He also acknowledged the progress made by Michael Carrick since the former United midfielder took charge at Old Trafford, while insisting City would approach the match with the intention of winning.
“We know it’s going to be a tough game,” Maresca said. “Since Michael took over they’re doing a fantastic job. We can show respect in the derby by trying to be ourselves and go there to try to win.”
Carrick, who played for United during the period when Ferguson dismissed City as their “noisy neighbours”, refused to be drawn into a direct response to Anderson’s claim.
Instead, he reflected on how the rivalry has changed since his arrival at the club in 2006, as City’s rise transformed the balance of power in the city.
“When I first came to the club, to be honest, it wasn’t like it is now,” Carrick said. “In 20 years, it’s kind of grown, it’s developed, it’s changed a little bit over the years.”
For Carrick, one of the defining moments came in April 2012, when Vincent Kompany headed City to victory at the Etihad. United had held a lead in the title race but surrendered it before City won the championship on the final day of the season.
“That felt quite a big moment,” Carrick said. “That’s just the one that we lost, so it probably hurts. We always remember those ones the most.”
He also recalled happier derby memories, including United’s 2010 League Cup semi-final victory, Robin van Persie’s late winner at the Etihad in December 2012 and Michael Owen’s stoppage-time goal at Old Trafford in 2009.
Wayne Rooney’s overhead kick against City in 2011 remains another favourite, although Carrick admitted he had initially forgotten it when listing his most memorable matches.
“There were some really good games over the years,” Carrick said. “Hopefully we can come out on top on Sunday.”
The match will also carry added importance for United’s season. Paul Merson has warned that victory could lift Carrick’s side, while defeat would revive doubts after a difficult start.
“If you beat Manchester City, you’re flying. If you get beat by Manchester City, here we go again,” Merson said.
For City, the derby offers an opportunity to reinforce their recent supremacy. For United, it is a chance to challenge the assumption that Manchester has turned blue for good.
