Source: Daily_Mail
Ireland: Time for Manchester City to knock United off their pedestal
Pledge: Ireland[LNB]The exact depth of Stephen Ireland's knowledge of Manchester United history is hard to ascertain, but the young Irishman found himself paraphrasing Sir Alex Ferguson as he assessed Manchester City's chances of one day meeting their neighbours and rivals on equal terms. [LNB]'I want to stay at City as long as possible and knock United off their pedestal,' said Ireland last night. [LNB]'The gap between the clubs is narrowing, we are signing world- class players and the future here is going to be very interesting. [LNB]'United are still the target to aim at but we are on the way to matching them in all aspects.' [LNB]United manager Ferguson, of course, has famously told of how he arrived at Old Trafford back in 1986 with the express aim of 'knocking Liverpool off their f***ing perch'. [LNB]Arguably it took him the best part of a decade and it remains to be seen if cash-rich City can move into United's slipstream any quicker. [LNB] On top of his game: Fergie[LNB]That the teams meet at Old Trafford tomorrow with United leading their neighbours by 33 points as opposed to 32 by the end of last season might suggest to the uninitiated that City have made a sluggish start since August's Arab takeover catapulted them to the head of the financial league table. [LNB] Milito's agent flies to England with Spurs, City and United linked to aceManchester United v MANCHESTER CITY:Hughes missing Phillips for Manchester derbyMANCHESTER CITY FC
