A LOOK BACK: The modern Manchester derby rivalry was ignited by the saga that saw United's boss publicly blast their local rivals City for their behaviour
Sir Alex Ferguson
Sir Alex Ferguson didn't hold back as he discussed Manchester City(Image: John Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)
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Sir Alex Ferguson once blasted Manchester City for their "arrogance" and "small club mentality." For most of his legendary reign as Manchester United boss, City were also-rans, only occasionally landing a blow on their nearest rivals and even suffering relegation from the top flight in 1998 and 2001.
However, everything changed following Sheikh Mansour's takeover of the club in 2008, which transformed City into the Premier League super-power they are today. They took the fight to United off the pitch as well as on it, getting under Ferguson's skin in the process.
One infamous occasion followed Carlos Tevez's cross-city move from United in 2009 and the contentious 'Welcome to Manchester' billboard with a picture of the Argentine, which City put up near the city centre.
The stunt had a double meaning, pointing out that Old Trafford is not technically in the city of Manchester, but the borough of Trafford, Greater Manchester. It also leant on speculation that Tevez wasn't welcome at United after falling out with Ferguson.
Ferguson pulled no punches as he hit back at the club he would refer to as "noisy neighbours." During the summer of 2009, the Scot fumed in a press conference: "It's City, isn't it? They are a small club with a small mentality. All they can talk about is Manchester United; they can't get away from it.
"That arrogance will be rewarded. It is a go at us, that's the one thing it is. They think taking Carlos Tevez away from Manchester United is a triumph. It is poor stuff."
MANCHESTER CITY have taken a thinly veiled dig at their United rivals with a new advertising board welcoming the arrival of Carlos Tevez.
The stunt that left Ferguson fuming(Image: MEN)
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As his tirade continued, he added: "Do you know what City's biggest triumph is? It's getting those players there. I don't know if they will do anything with them.
"It is not easy to get into that top four, so the biggest success of all is to just get the players there. They might not get beyond that. When someone offers you that kind of money, it is a big attraction to people nowadays. That is the reason they have gone there."
United remained the top dogs in Manchester for a few more seasons until City epically pipped them to the Premier League crown with 'that' Sergio Aguero goal in 2012. But Ferguson hit back in his final season before retirement, with United romping to the title in 2013.
Sir Alex Ferguson and Carlos Tevez
Ferguson fell out with Carlos Tevez before his move to City(Image: John Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)
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However, in the decade and a bit since, City have become the kings of Manchester with seven Premier League titles to United's none. And despite losing the mastermind behind most of those triumphs, Pep Guardiola, City have made a stronger start to the new season with three victories from three ahead of Sunday's short trip to Old Trafford.
Meanwhile, United have made a stuttering start, with an opening-day defeat at Hull City followed by a win over Ipswich Town and a draw at Everton, who salvaged a point in the depths of added time.
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