Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has broken down Elliot Anderson's comments saying he has joined the 'Kings of Manchester'.
Elliot Anderson is set to return to the starting line-up against Manchester United on Sunday.
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Anderson joined Manchester City for a stunning £116 million from Nottingham Forest in June, kicking off a comprehensive remake of the first-team squad under Maresca after Pep Guardiola's departure from the Etihad Stadium.
Manchester United were also interested in signing Anderson and offered the club captaincy as a negotiating point with the 23-year-old's camp, though the midfielder had his heart set on a move to City.
A boyhood blue, according to photos of his childhood he has shared on his Instagram in recent weeks, Anderson has made a strong start to life in east Manchester as City embark on life beyond Guardiola.
The eight-time Premier League champions sit at the top of the table ahead of Sunday's visit to enemy territory, having beaten Porto in their opening fixture of the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League group-phase in midweek.
Anderson was rested on Tuesday night and after making a cameo off the bench, the England international is expected to return to the starting XI at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Manchester City have also signed Ayyoub Bouaddi and Enzo Fernandez from Lille (£85 million) and Chelsea (£125 million) respectively this summer - and Anderson is not short of competent partners in the middle of the park ahead of this weekend's derby.
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has issued an update on his side's fitness ahead of Sunday's trip to face Manchester United.cityxtra.co.ukEnzo Maresca Press Conference: O'Reilly and Doku Fitness Updates Ahead of Man United
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has issued an update on his side's fitness ahead of Sunday's trip to face Manchester United.
What Maresca Said About Anderson's "Kings of Manchester" Admission
After completing his move to City in June, Anderson opened up on his feelings over joining the "Kings of Manchester" after snubbing interest from the red side of the city, underlining the gulf between the two sides that can grown considerably since Sir Alex Ferguson's departure from Old Trafford in 2013.
Addressing Anderson's comments in a press conference on Friday, Maresca said: "The reason why Elliot said that is because he grew up in the last 15 years, and I think Man City was unbelievable what they achieved.
"So it's normal when Elliot said that. When you go [further] back, it's a different picture. But for me the reason why Elliot said that is because when he grew up, Man City was dominant."
Maresca and co face their biggest test since the start of the season at Old Trafford on Sunday and the Italian tactician will be wary of the threat posed by United's attack on the counter.
City are expected to dominate possession against their rivals but the Blues have looked vulnerable at the back in the opening weeks of the season, conceding a questionable opener against Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium in January.
Marc Guehi and Ruben Dias have managed clean sheets in their recent outings against Coventry and Porto - and the pair will be very keen on extending that streak against the Red Devils on Sunday.