Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has brushed aside suggestions from Manchester City midfielder Elliot Anderson that the blue half of the city now rules Manchester. The Red Devils boss is getting ready for a hugely important derby that could shape his team's ambitions for the rest of the season.

Anderson stirs up derby tension

Anderson's £116 million ($156m) summer move from Nottingham Forest to the Etihad Stadium arrived with some strong comments. The midfielder irritated the red half of Manchester by saying that the Sky Blues are the undisputed rulers of the city, a view City's official website eagerly highlighted by putting the word 'king' in capitals.

United have not ended a Premier League season above their bitter rivals since the 2012-13 campaign. In that time, City have collected domestic and European honours, winning seven league titles and the Champions League, in sharp contrast to United's comparatively modest return.

Even with the growing gap in trophies, recent meetings between the sides have still been reasonably competitive. United have recorded seven wins and three draws in their last 20 league matches against the Etihad club.

Managers respond to 'Kings' comment

The midfielder's much-awaited first derby had already been given extra edge by his own recent words: “It’s been one of the biggest derbies in the world. And for as long as I’ve known, City have been the Kings of Manchester.”

City head coach Enzo Maresca, who took over from Pep Guardiola in the summer, was quick to back his star signing and pointed to the club's remarkable success in recent years. "Probably the reason why Elliot said that is because he grew up in the last 15 years," Maresca said. "I think Manchester City were unbelievable in what they achieved. So it was normal when Elliot said that... For me the reason Elliot said that is because when he grew up Manchester City was dominant."

Asked about the jibe, Carrick rejected the idea outright with a knowing smile. "I’m definitely not using that phrase, at all, no," the United manager replied.

Although he dismissed the description, Carrick admitted there is truth in City's recent dominance. "I understand it," he said. "We are humble enough and realistic enough to know where we have come from in recent history."

Changing expectations at Old Trafford

Carrick's spell as permanent manager has already included a notable 2-0 win over Guardiola's City, but the English coach is focused on long-term progress rather than isolated big results. A return to Europe's top competition is seen only as the starting point for his squad.

"It is good, in a way, that expectation has shifted," Carrick said. "All of a sudden, there are different things asked of us to maybe what was asked of us a few months ago. We are in the Champions League - that in itself shows the steps we have made."

The Red Devils boss wants to turn his side into regular challengers for the biggest honours. "Now, it is about the next stage," he added. "We need to, and want to be better, and we want to be challenging more. That’s where we're at. It doesn't mean that we can't and we won't. It means we still hope, we believe, and we expect that we can be and we should be, but I understand the bigger picture."

Closing the gap in the derby

United go into Sunday's showdown five points behind Maresca's side in the Premier League table. The match gives Carrick's team a major chance to damage their city rivals' momentum and show they are capable of competing for the top prize.

While praising City's European performance in midweek, Carrick remained firm in his belief in United's own upward path. “I thought they were very professional against Porto the other night," he said. "They are a very good team. We know we have to put in a good performance and do a lot of things right to get a result."

Carrick added: "I think we have built up confidence over a period of time. I feel like we are getting better all the time and that helps us. It is a big game, it is an important game, there is a lot riding on it. We are looking forward to it. We have got a short space of time to recover and prepare for it, but we will make the most of it."