“If you ask Manchester United fans who their biggest rivals are at the moment, a lot will say Manchester City”
Former Manchester City and England midfielder Trevor Sinclair says Manchester United fans now regard City as their biggest rivals.
Speaking on talkSPORT ahead of this weekend’s Manchester derby, Sinclair said that the tables have turned since his time as a City player, when United were by far the more successful club.
Sinclair left City in 2007, a year before the club was the subject of the Abu Dhabi takeover which helped transform them into one of the continent’s most competitive clubs. City’s recent successes have coincided with a turbulent spell for United, who have not won a league title since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson seven years ago.
“It’s almost like opposite roles now,” Sinclair said. “When I was playing for Manchester City, Manchester United was the biggest game. We’d speak about it for two weeks before, it would all be about the build-up and the media attention.
“But now, I feel for Manchester City, Liverpool are their biggest rivals. But if you ask a lot of Manchester United fans this question – who are their biggest rivals at the moment? – I think a lot of Manchester United fans would say Manchester City.
“The noisy neighbours have ended up being the bigger club in Manchester and the most successful club in Manchester over recent history.
“Manchester United really want to do well in this fixture now, whereas it’s just another game for Manchester City players.”
🔴 “Utd fans now think their biggest rivals are Man City.”
🏆 “City have become the city’s biggest & most successful club.”
🙏“Utd really to win but for City it’s just another game.”
Trevor Sinclair says #MUFC & their fans care more about the Manchester derby than #MCFC now 👀 pic.twitter.com/baEAe3LbQX
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) December 11, 2020
United beat City in their last meeting in March and sit a point ahead of them in the Premier League table.
