Manchester United Are Taking Manchester City Seriously Now – Mark Hughes

Manchester City manager Mark Hughes has insisted that neighbours Manchester United are beginning to take his side seriously and also claims that the Citizens can threaten them in the chase for trophies this season.

Having been taken over last season, City have signalled their intentions to compete at the very top level by making a number of high profile signings including Robinho, Roque Santa Cruz and Gareth Barry.

More names are expected to follow before the start of the new season, with Carlos Tevez and John Terry said to be the club’s latest targets, and Hughes insists the rapid progress at Eastlands is making the English champions sit up and take notice.

“United are taking our situation more seriously, in terms of what we can do - and it's not just them realising that,” he told teamtalk.com.

"Bizarrely, what is happening here can help United, through us being capable of taking points off other top-four clubs - but we want to take points off United, too.

“When Sir Alex Ferguson talks about Liverpool being United's main rivals, it's because of the great success the two clubs have had.

“The rivalry is there, because of what they have both achieved. Our rivalry with United is more of a local nature but I want to get back to the days when we are challenging for the same trophies. I want to win any trophy, because that would be a sign of progress,” admitted the former United striker.

Hughes also admitted that he would love to lead the Citizens to a cup final.

"For instance, to win the Carling Cup would be great for us. I can remember what winning that meant to United three years ago,” he added.

“They beat Wigan in the final and it was the first thing they had won for a couple of years. It's about putting silverware on the sideboard. And I know our fans want to see us have a cup run.

“I would love to take Manchester City to a final - that is one of my aims.”

Gill Clark, Goal.com