Rio Ferdinand recalls how Manchester United thought Manchester City’s dominance would fly by

Rio Ferdinand has recalled how he and his Manchester United team-mates initially thought that Manchester City’s success would ‘fly by’ before realising that their rivals were not going away.

When City were purchased by Abu Dhabi United Group in 2008, they hadn’t won the league title for forty years.

However, they have now won three Premier League titles and, under the guidance of manager Pep Guardiola, have continued to raise their standards even higher. 

Rio Ferdinand initially thought that Manchester City’s success would ‘fly by’

City have enjoyed a considerable amount of success in recent years

Ferdinand revealed that, despite his initial belief that City wouldn’t have staying power, he, along with Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs, eventually realised City would remain dominant. 

Speaking on BT Sport, Ferdinand said: ‘I thought it was going to be a fly by. They had an owner who came before, that didn’t end too well.

‘Did Robinho come at this stage as well? You think that’s going to be their great big signing. Then all of a sudden they sign Tevez as well. That was when you started to think ‘hold on a minute’. And then Yaya came, David Silva.

‘We were sitting there – me, Gary Neville, Giggsy, the guys – this is going to be serious, these guys are not going away in two or three years’ time – they’re here for the long haul and they’ve put their forks in the ground and they’re starting to build for the future.’

Ferdinand and his Manchester United team-mates eventually realised City weren’t going away

Owen Hargreaves revealed that Sir Alex Ferguson knew that a ‘blue wave was coming’

Owen Hargreaves, who played for United before later joining City, stated that legendary former United boss Sir Alex Ferguson knew that a ‘blue wave was coming’.

Hargreaves said: ‘Sir Alex – he knew they were going to be virtually impossible to stop. He knew this blue wave was coming. They’ve set the tone for everyone else in this league and now it’s catch up because City are that far ahead.’

Ferdinand feels that the infrastructure that City have in place has ‘future-proofed’ the club. 

He said: ‘I think the big thing about it is the infrastructure they’ve put in place. They’ve tried to future-proof the club. The foundations have been set there for a 20, 30, 50 year period rather than just win a couple of trophies here and there and that’s it.’

Joleon Lescott revealed that City players were given extra motivation by claims that they only joined the club for money

Meanwhile, Joleon Lescott, who joined City from Everton in 2009, revealed that City players were given extra motivation by claims that they only joined the club for money.

Lescott said: ‘That extra motivation of people – players, fans, pundits – only assuming we went there for money. No one assumed we went there to win the title.’

City are looking to win another Premier League title this season. They are currently top of the table, although second placed Liverpool are level on points with them and have a game in hand.

On Wednesday night City beat Schalke 3-2 away in an enthralling Champions League last-16, first leg encounter, with Sergio Aguero, Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling on the scoresheet for Guardiola’s side.

City managed to prevail despite the dismissal of defender Nicolas Otamendi in the 68th minute.