Manchester City playmaker David Silva has said that Manchester United have huge respect for them considering the power shift over the past seven years. The Red Devils were the dominant force in England during the reign of Sir Alex Ferguson, but things have transformed thereafter with the Citizens stamping their authority with big-name signings.
The former Spain international said: “We had a huge amount of respect for them and I think you could tell. Then, after the second year, everything started to change and I think now the respect for us is enormous. The [derby] is getting bigger and bigger. These games have something added now, whoever wins will see the effect all around the world. Honestly, the games are getting better by the year, and we hope it keeps going like that. The first derbies were complicated, especially in the first year. We drew at home and lost the other one at [Old Trafford]. But from that point on, everything started to change a little bit and nowadays they have huge respect for us.”
The Citizens are scheduled to face United on the road during the midweek Premier League derby and the game has been touted by many as the potential title decider. Pep Guardiola’s side are presently two points behind Liverpool with a game in hand, and a victory over United would put them on the front seat to secure the title with three matches remaining.
United come into the game on the back of six defeats from the previous eight matches but they are no doubts that they would be motivated for the derby. United have been the superior force when it comes to the derby in recent years, but they did manage to secure a shock 3-2 triumph at the Etihad last term to delay the Citizens’ title celebrations.