Manchester City can’t go a day without referring to big brothers Manchester United, and Monday was no different as Gael Clichy – signing from Arsenal – spoke not about City, but about United. In fact, before his £7 Million switch he claimed only money-driven footballers moved to the mercenaries !

In the summer of 2009, Gael Clichy claimed that only players who cared about money signed for Manchester City. In the summer of 2011, Gael Clichy signed for Manchester City and claimed his £7 Million, £70,000 a week, 4-year transfer was not about the money. The ‘average’ 25-year-old France International fullback joins a list of Man City players whose first interviews after signing for The Blues were about the Premier League Champions: United.

City have won 1 trophy in the same time United have won 41 over the last 35 years. After Sheikh Mansour’s September 2008 takeover of the noisy neighbours, the club has won solely The FA Cup despite over £1 Billion of investment into what has become the laughing stock of world football. Clichy seems to have become confused after joining City, who have been labelled ‘a small club, with a small mentality’ by Sir Alex Ferguson.  

Gael Clichy said on July 25th, 2009: “I really believe if you are a player who thinks only about money then you could end up at Manchester City. You have to think if you want to play for a big club and have your image or if you want to play for a good club and earn big money.” 

Gael Clichy said on July 4th, 2011: “I understand that the people who live in Manchester are the true fans. They are from City. That is a good point, I won’t be bothered by United fans. There is no limit at Manchester City, of course, you have to be realistic but there is no limit. Where they have come from in three years is phenomenal. And I want to win things.”
 

The fact of the matter is that Manchester United have three times more supporters living in Greater Manchester than Manchester City. The Red Devils have an estimated 350 million fans worldwide, The Blues are believed to have less than 3 million followers globally. On Monday, former United striker and now City rent boy Carlos Tevez publicly stated his intentions to leave the Eastlands. So, at least someone sees sense after all !