NOW BE CAREFUL UNITED OR YOU COULD LOSE 6-1 ...JUST LIKE 2011
MANCHESTER UNITED were forced to take “noisy neighbours” Manchester City seriously after their humiliating 6-1 mauling at Old Trafford.
Tomorrow marks 10 years since City inflicted United’s worst derby defeat, where Mario Balotelli scored twice and asked “why always me?” after which the Blues went on to claim the club’s first Premier League title.
Sir Alex Ferguson taunted City with his infamous “noisy neighbours” jibe after United won an epic derby clash 4-3 at Old Trafford in September 2009.
But Fergie was forced to eat his words when City mauled United 6-1 in their own backyard two years later, a win which heralded a shift in the balance of power in Manchester.
Joleon Lescott (right) was part of the side that stunned United with that historic win, but reckons the seeds were sown in City’s FA Cup semi-final win over their local rivals the previous season.
City beat United 1-0 at Wembley in April 2011, before going on to beat Stoke by the same scoreline in the final to lift the FA Cup – the Blues’ first trophy for 35 years.
The following season City claimed their first league title since 1968, beating United on goal difference thanks to Sergio Aguero’s dramatic late winner against QPR.
But Lescott is convinced the 6-1 win was only possible after City beat United in that FA Cup semi-final at Wembley, to shake off their inferiority complex.
“It changed the perspective for both of us,” he said. “We realised that if we can beat United in a semi-final – at that time they didn’t lose many semi-finals, especially under Sir Alex Ferguson – then we are genuine contenders.
“Also it made them realise that we weren’t just hopefuls or the ‘noisy neighbours’. They respected us more and realised we were genuine contenders after the FA Cup win.”