Source: Telegraph
Manchester United are scared of Manchester City's ability says Stephen Ireland
The 23-year-old believes City's 100 per cent start to the season has unnerved Sir Alex Ferguson as the Eastlands club continue to prove themselves as genuine title contenders.
Intent on taking all three points at Old Trafford tomorrow, Ireland told the Mirror: "With our squad being so good and the way we've started this season, I think there's a bit of fear on their part - and rightly so.
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"They know if we beat them on Sunday we could then go on an unbeaten run of 15 to 20 games and they'd be playing catch-up, which has never really happened.
"United have never had to play catch-up on City, but now the tables could finally be turning.
"There's great expectation among our fans, with the money we've spent, the players we've bought and the start we've had this season.
"But beating United at Old Trafford would raise those expectations even higher."
Ireland also said he had no regrets about choosing to join City over United after he spent a week on trial at Old Trafford when he was 15.
Insisting that the opportunity of regular first-team starts was always more important to him than being able to say eh played for one of the biggest clubs in the world, Ireland said: "I didn't know where I stood at United. I was there when I was 15 but I just didn't like it.
"Every day there I'd be training with a different bunch of kids. I didn't know who I was meant to be impressing, who my coaches were and I just felt all over the place.
"I only met Fergie once. I said 'hello' to him one day and he knew straight away that I was Irish. He told me he already had enough Irish players with Roy Keane and Denis Irwin, so I guess that was another hint for me to hit the road.
"I grew up supporting United, so maybe my expectations were too high when I went there. But as soon as I came to City it felt right and I could see myself being where I am now.
"At United you see so many young players go out on loan, season after season, without making the first-team. I couldn't do that. I've always wanted to play first-team football and thankfully I've managed that at City."
