United boss Carrick dismisses Anderson’s ‘kings of Manchester’ jibe

AFP | Manchester

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Manchester United boss Michael Carrick has dismissed Elliot Anderson’s jibe that City are “kings of Manchester” ahead of Sunday’s derby.

Already trailing five points behind their bitter rivals, United will face Manchester City at Old Trafford with Anderson’s taunt ringing in their ears.

Anderson joined City from Nottingham Forest for £116 million ($156 million) in the close-season after United refused to enter a bidding war for the England midfielder.

The 23-year-old can expect a hostile reception from United fans after adding fuel to the Manchester rivalry.

“For as long as I’ve known Manchester, City have been the kings of Manchester,” Anderson said following his arrival at the Etihad Stadium.

City have been top dogs in Manchester since Alex Ferguson retired after winning the Premier League with United in 2013, finishing above them every season since then.

In that time, City won seven Premier League titles and the Champions League among countless other trophies.

But, despite United’s lack of success in comparison to City, Carrick refused to agree with Anderson’s assessment of the current balance of power in Manchester.

“I’m definitely not using that phrase at all, no,” said Carrick, who led United to a 2-0 win over City in the most recent derby in January.

“We’re humble enough and realistic enough to know where we’ve come from in recent history, and we need to and want to be better, and we want to be challenging more.