David Moyes has responded to Manuel Pellegrini’s declaration that Manchester City are the top club in the city, warning ahead of tonight’s derby that the Chilean risks hubris and that Manchester United’s time will come again.
United go into the meeting 12 points adrift of their
rivals in the Premier League – a level of superiority City have not enjoyed
over United on a derby day for 36 years – and City midfielder Fernandinho stoked the fires by declaring he was
surprised how easy to beat a poor United had been earlier this season.
But United manager Moyes offered the kind of retort to
his counterpart Pellegrini’s observation the club’s fans will be looking for,
after consecutive wins which offer fragile signs of hope. “Well, Manchester
United had lots and lots of seasons of domination,” Moyes said when questioned
about comments Pellegrini first made last month and on which he elaborated
yesterday.
“I don’t think I would have turned round and said that we
were the only club in Manchester
United were 4-0 behind in 50 minutes at the Etihad
Stadium in September, leading Fernandinho to reflect now that they were
unexpectedly poor. “Of course I was [surprised],” he said. “It’s a club with a
lot of history, with very good players. They were the champions – so, yes, I
was surprised at how badly they played that day and how easily we won.”
The Brazilian’s claim that City are fighting for the
title now while United are simply fighting to restore some pride tonight was a
statement of fact. “They are maybe just fighting for honour now,” he said.
It is in the midfield area that the gulfs between the
squad strengths have most graphically revealed themselves this season. United’s
midfielders have contributed just two goals compared to nearly 40 scored by
their City counterparts.
Pellegrini stated that the midfield was a key point of
comparison between the two sides. “Maybe they are stronger and we are more
technical,” he said, though Fernandinho also expressed surprise that this area
of the field had not delivered more goals for United.
reference: belfasttelegraph
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