• Premier League

Derby more important than Liverpool clashes - Fergie

ESPN staff
April 26, 2012
Sir Alex Ferguson: 'Manchester City are not going away' © Getty Images
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Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has told his players to prepare for a series of monumental games against Manchester City over the coming years.

City and United are preparing to meet next Monday at the Etihad Stadium in what is being billed as a title decider, with just three points separating the clubs.

And Ferguson feels that, with Liverpool on the wane and making no mark towards the top of the league, the derby clashes have assumed a greater degree of importance.

"We have to get used to playing Manchester City in important games," he said. "They are not going away. The support they have means we are going to be playing them in a lot of big games.

"Finals maybe, we already have done in semi-finals, an important cup tie this season. If we are going to be contesting for league titles regularly - and I think we will be doing - it will become just as important as the Liverpool game.

"Maybe not in terms of emotion because the Liverpool-United games are emotional. But there is certainly an importance which, at this moment in time, supercedes the Liverpool games.

"They are our direct opponents now. Manchester City are up against us to win titles. That is what our focus is on, the team who can stop us winning."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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