Maresca Backs Anderson Over Kings of Manchester Derby Claim 2026

Enzo Maresca has publicly backed Elliot Anderson's bold claim that Manchester City are the "kings of Manchester" as he prepares for his first derby in charge of the club. The Manchester City manager's endorsement comes ahead of Sunday's highly anticipated clash at Old Trafford, where City will look to extend their perfect start under Maresca and reinforce Anderson's assertion.

Anderson's Kings of Manchester Claim

Elliot Anderson, the 23-year-old midfielder who joined Manchester City from Nottingham Forest for £116m in the summer, made the controversial statement upon his arrival. Having witnessed City's dominance from afar—eight Premier League titles in the past 14 years compared to United's one—Anderson felt justified in his assessment. "I think Manchester City was unbelievable what they achieved. It's normal when Elliot said that," Maresca commented. "If you go back it's a different picture, but for me the reason he said that is because when he grew up Manchester City was dominant."

Maresca's First Manchester Derby

For Maresca, this will be his inaugural Manchester derby as manager, and he enters the fixture with confidence. City have made a flawless start to the season, and a victory over their rivals would further cement their status. The Italian manager has taken a pragmatic approach to the intense rivalry, focusing on his team's preparations rather than engaging in verbal jousting.

Fixture Scheduling Debate

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick raised concerns about the short turnaround after his side's Champions League win over Sabah on Thursday night, describing it as "not ideal," especially since City had two extra days to prepare after beating Porto away on Tuesday. However, Maresca offered little sympathy, recalling a similar situation from last season. "To be honest, the club mentioned to me that it happened exactly the same last year when the club played Napoli and then after two days played Arsenal," he said. "Sometimes it happens in football. I don't have any doubt."

Comparing Manchester's Giants

The historical dominance of both clubs is stark. While United enjoyed immense success under Sir Alex Ferguson, City's recent era has been defined by unprecedented Premier League supremacy. The table below highlights key metrics since the Premier League's inception in 1992.

Key Takeaways from the Derby Buildup

• Maresca supports Anderson's "kings of Manchester" claim, citing City's recent dominance.
• Fixture congestion debate: Carrick unhappy with short turnaround, Maresca unfazed.
• City aim to maintain perfect start under Maresca with a win at Old Trafford.
• Historical context: United lead in overall titles, but City have ruled the last decade.

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