Elliot Anderson has taunted Manchester United. (Image: Getty)
Manchester City record signing Elliot Anderson has taunted United – by telling them he’s joined the ‘kings of Manchester’. Anderson has become Britain’s most expensive footballer after joining City in a £116m deal. The England midfielder snubbed a host of clubs to put pen-to-paper on a five year contract at the Etihad.
These included United, who spent months tracking Anderson before getting priced out of a move for the 23-year-old. And now Anderson has stuck the boot into United – by insisting he chose City because they rule the roost in 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.”
EXPRESS SPORT ON FB! Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page
Anderson’s comments will rile his new neighbours.
And also echo the time when City taunted United with a giant ‘Welcome To Manchester’ poster depicting the face of Carlos Tevez, having lured the Argentine from Old Trafford in 2009.
Former United boss Sir Alex Ferguson once labelled City the ‘noisy neighbours’.
But City have gone on to dominate the landscape of English football in the last decade.
While United have not won a league title since 2013, City have landed seven in this time, as well as the Treble in 2023.
Elliot Anderson is excited to link up with his new City team-mates. (Image: Getty)
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.
“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.”
Anderson’s rise to the top has been rapid and phenomenal.
In the space of four seasons he has gone from being on-loan with Bristol Rovers to helping England reach a World Cup semi final, via becoming the most expensive footballer in Britain.
But taking the next step at club level is something Anderson is relishing, because he knows he has joined a machine made to be successful.
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.
“I’m so happy to have been given this opportunity, and I am determined to repay the faith City have shown in me.”
Anderson, 23, grew up marvelling at the influence Kevin De Bruyne once had on City and English football.
And he admits now finding himself on the same team De Bruyne used to grace with such distinction, feels like a dream come true.
He said: “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
“I’ve watched him all the time, and to be sat here in the team that he was doing it for is so special.”
Pep Guardiola might now be gone, but Anderson is relishing working under Enzo Maresca.
Not to mention the chance to prove he is worth the nickname the ‘Geordie Maradona’, given to him by Rovers fans during his time in Bristol.
He added: “They started that and it sort of stuck everywhere I’ve been. It’s a really
“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.”