Source: Daily_Mail
Rio taunts City: Liverpool are United's real rivals - and Carlos Tevez knows it
Rio Ferdinand insists Manchester City haven't earned the right to be United's No 1 rivals.[LNB]The Old Trafford defender says Carlos Tevez was right when he turned down a move to Liverpool out of respect for United fans - because the clash with the Merseysiders is still the real derby to look forward to.[LNB]On the eve of first Manchester derby since Argentina striker Tevez defected to the blue half of the city, Ferdinand said: 'I think the fact Carlos went to City speaks volumes about the rivalries between Manchester United and both Manchester City and Liverpool.[LNB] Famous five: Rio Ferdinand draws a challenge from Jermain Defoe during Manchester United's victory at Tottenham[LNB]Poster boy: City trumpeted their signing of former United striker Tevez with a huge billboard in Manchester City centre[LNB]'Carlos said he wanted to respect the fans by not joining Liverpool, but he thought it was OK to then join Manchester City,' said Ferdinand. 'That just shows what the biggest rivalry really is.'[LNB]The England regular also taunted Arsenal by claiming their fall from the top table meant the Gunners were also no longer fierce rivals.[LNB]Asked who were the team that most got the blood boiling, Ferdinand told Sport magazine: 'Liverpool. Manchester City, now that they are trying to challenge the top four, will probably come into that. But your rivalries are with the teams around you. [LNB]'Of course, there is a rivalry with City because of where we are - it's one city, two clubs, and there isn't room at the top for both.[LNB]'A few years ago, the rivalry wasn't so big with City because they weren't up there, but things are changing. With Arsenal the rivalry has waned in the last few years because they've not been up there challenging with us. [LNB]'We've had a constant rivalry with Chelsea for the past four or five years because they're up there. It goes in cycles.'[LNB] Fitness race: Carlos Tevez is desperate to be fit to play at Old Trafford[LNB]Ferdinand admitted City's lavish spending spree, which reached almost £110million in the summer window alone, could eventually deliver the title.[LNB]The 30-year-old remembers all too well how Blackburn Rovers won the Premier League in 1995 using Jack Walker's money and has seen how Roman Abramovich's wealth transformed Chelsea from years without glory to one of Europe's powerhouses. [LNB]'It can be done,' he said. 'But only time will tell.'[LNB] The Manchester derby: Four classics from 128 years of rivalryCarlos Tevez in fitness race for derby clash with old boss Sir Alex Ferguson as Emmanuel Adebayor's ban ups anteManchester City are so cocky: United boss Sir Alex Ferguson tries to spark a derby row with Mark HughesStunning Spurs fightback will inspire United to City derby win, says EvansMANCHESTER UNITED FC
