This archive report was first published on 7 December 2019.
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has reaffirmed his club's status as the bigger team in Manchester, despite Manchester City's recent dominance.
City are well placed to finish above United for a seventh successive season, a feat last achieved in the 1930s.
Since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, City have won seven derbies compared to United's three, while City have amassed a total of 91 points more than United over the past six seasons.
City are already 11 points in front of United this season, but Solskjaer remains optimistic about his team's chances of bridging the gap.
“Our aim is to bridge the gap and eventually go past the teams above us. We have the resources and the people to do it,” he said.
However, Solskjaer acknowledged that City's financial superiority is a significant challenge for United to overcome.
“It’s inarguable we are too far behind but what are we going to do? Give up? Not challenge them?”
City manager Pep Guardiola has a different perspective on what makes a big club, citing the loyalty and dedication of City fans as a key factor.
“For United’s fans, they’ll always be the biggest club. For the City fans, they’ll always be the biggest club. It doesn’t matter if you have had a lot of success in the past, it’s part of what you feel,” Guardiola said.
Guardiola also praised City's fans for their support during the club's difficult times, saying: “I learnt about Manchester City’s history and in the bad, bad moments, the support was almost higher or louder than, for example, now.”
