Elliot Anderson has taunted Manchester United after joining Manchester City, declaring he has moved to the 'kings of Manchester'. The England midfielder became Britain's most expensive footballer when he signed a five-year contract with City in a £116m deal.
Anderson snubbed a host of clubs, including United, who had tracked the 23-year-old for months before being priced out of a move. Now he has stuck the boot into United by insisting he chose City because they rule the roost in Manchester.
Anderson: 'City are the kings of Manchester'
Anderson said: "I think they're winners. They're relentless - and that's the sort of team I want to be a part of. Champions and people who win trophies. Over the last 10, 12 years, they've dominated, so that's why I wanted to join. For as long as I've known Manchester, City have been the kings of Manchester."
His comments echo City's 2009 taunt of United with a giant 'Welcome To Manchester' poster featuring Carlos Tevez after luring the Argentine from Old Trafford. Former United boss Sir Alex Ferguson once called City the 'noisy neighbours', but City have now dominated English football for a decade.
City's dominance contrasts with United's struggles
While United have not won a league title since 2013, City have won seven in that period, including the Treble in 2023. Anderson said: "Manchester City are one of the biggest clubs in the world and the squad they have is amazing - so strong in every position. As soon as I knew they wanted me, I was absolutely determined to make this move happen."
He added: "As a footballer, you want to test yourself at the highest level. Being at City means I have that opportunity. From the outside looking in, City are a club that treats its players well and provides the perfect environment to excel. The success they have had, and the way they have played the game in the last 10 to 15 years has been extraordinary. It's a privilege to be given the chance to be part of that."
Rapid rise from Bristol Rovers to City
Anderson's rise has been rapid: in four seasons he went from a loan spell at Bristol Rovers to helping England reach a World Cup semi-final, via becoming Britain's most expensive footballer. He said: "It's happened quite quick, but I think I always believed that I could get to this point - and this is where I want to be. Now that I'm here, I'll keep pushing and try to take this club forward. It's a club built to win trophies and compete at the very top of the game. That is exciting for any footballer."
Anderson grew up admiring Kevin De Bruyne's influence at City and said joining the team De Bruyne graced feels like a dream: "I think Kevin De Bruyne is someone who I've hugely looked up to over the past seven or eight years. I've always grown up through the academy at Newcastle. I've always wanted to play like him. I've watched him all the time, and to be sat here in the team that he was doing it for is so special."
Ready to work under Maresca and prove his worth
Pep Guardiola is now gone, but Anderson is relishing working under Enzo Maresca and the chance to prove he is worth the nickname 'Geordie Maradona' given by Rovers fans. He said: "They started that and it sort of stuck everywhere I've been. It's a really good one. It makes me happy when I hear it on the pitch and yeah, it gives me real confidence. I think I bring a bit of everything. I bring quality, I bring physicality, energy. I'd like to think I'd get them (City fans) excited, get them off their feet and bring energy to the team."
