Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has rejected Elliot Anderson’s comment that City are the “kings of Manchester” before Sunday’s derby.
United are currently five points behind their rivals. They will face Manchester City at Old Trafford with Anderson’s words fresh in their minds.
Anderson joined City from Nottingham Forest for £116 million ($156 million) this season after United chose not to compete for the England midfielder.
The 23-year-old is likely to face a tough reception from United fans after stirring up the Manchester rivalry.
“For as long as I’ve known Manchester, City have been the kings of Manchester,” Anderson said when he arrived at the Etihad Stadium.
City have been the top team in Manchester since Alex Ferguson left United after winning the Premier League in 2013. They have finished above United every season since.
During this time, City has won seven Premier League titles and the Champions League among many other trophies.
But despite United’s recent struggles, Carrick disagreed with Anderson’s view on who rules Manchester now.
“I’m definitely not using that phrase at all, no,” Carrick said. He led United to a 2-0 victory over City in the last derby back in January.
“We’re humble enough and realistic enough to know where we’ve come from in recent history. We need to be better, and we want to challenge more.”
Carrick added, “That’s where we’re at. It doesn’t mean that we can’t and we won’t. It means we still hope, we believe, and we expect that we can be and we should be, but I understand the bigger picture.”
In a press conference on Friday, City manager Enzo Maresca said recent events back up Anderson’s claim.
“The reason why Elliot said that is because he grew up in the last 15 years,” the Italian explained.
“I think Manchester City was unbelievable, what they achieved. So I think it’s normal when Elliot said that.”
United have had a shaky start to the season with just one win from three games. They did beat Sabah 4-0 in their Champions League opener on Thursday.
In contrast, City has won their first four matches in all competitions under Maresca.
However, Carrick believes United are improving after finishing third in the Premier League last season, just behind City.
“I think going into the Champions League game (against Sabah) and talking about the expectation there, I think it’s a really good thing that it’s shifted in a way,” he said.
“All of a sudden there are different things asked of us now compared to a few months ago, and we’re in the Champions League.
“That in itself shows the steps we’ve made, and we need to be in the later stages of that, and then the expectations around that.
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