Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes claims their rivals from across the City cannot be considered a “main rival” until they win silverware.
United and City go head-to-head today in the latest instalment of the Manchester derby, and United could go eight points clear of the visitors with a victory at Old Trafford.
And while the city’s bragging rights are on the line, Scholes insists the game does not yet have a season-defining edge to it that comes when United face the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal.
He said: “They are definitely getting closer.
“Whether they are alongside Chelsea and Arsenal yet I am not sure. They would probably have to win something to become main rivals.
“But I am sure this year they will be fighting for it and the same will be true in years to come with more improvement.”
He added: “It is more than local pride now. We are both going for trophies and we are both main rivals for trophies.
“Years ago, they were in the bottom half of the league, or not even in it, and we were always red-hot favourites.
“Even then it didn't necessarily mean we were going to win, as results proved.
“And they have better quality players now, which just makes matches against City even more interesting.”
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