- Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has defended midfielder Elliot Anderson’s claim that City are the “kings of Manchester”, describing the 23-year-old's comments as normal given the club's recent dominance.
- Anderson, who joined Manchester City in the summer for £116m after previously being targeted by Manchester United , stirred local rivalry by declaring his new team the monarchs of the city upon his arrival.
- Maresca highlighted that Anderson grew up during a 15-year period in which City secured eight Premier League titles, acknowledging that while Manchester United dominated earlier eras, City have been the superior force in recent history.
- Ahead of his first Manchester derby at Old Trafford on Sunday, Maresca confirmed that Nico O’Reilly is fit to return to the squad, although Jeremy Doku remains unavailable through injury.
- Dismissing concerns from Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick about fixture scheduling and recovery time, Maresca insisted teams must adapt, recalling how City managed a similar two-day turnaround between matches last season.
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