Londoner Chris Smalling has become an adopted Manc and now believes the United-City clash is the number one event on the soccer calendar.

Reds boss Sir Alex Ferguson argued last week that the United-Liverpool fixture is the biggest of the lot.

But Smalling has bought into the Manchester derby and disagrees with his manager.

The Old Trafford defender sheepishly admits to being a Gooner who went to the North London version between Arsenal and Spurs as a fan but now the Reds and Blues dust up has won him over.

“Straightaway when you come here to the city the Manchester derby is something everybody talks about,” Chris told M.E.N. Sport.

“I was on the bench at Eastlands last year in my first season at united and then I played in the Old Trafford game I remember the build up to the first one was immense so I cannot begin to think what this next few days will be like.

“Yes I was an Arsenal fan and loved the derbies I went to see against Spurs. I loved the passion of the occasion. But I am very much United now and this derby has overtaken the North London one in my mind.

“The derby in Manchester has grown even from last year. The rivalry with Liverpool has been the main one for a lot of the lads for many years who’ve been at the club for a long time but City have been creeping up and now you just get wrapped up in it all.

“It is one game I want to win more than any other. I think this is the biggest game and biggest derby we face now. City have been investing and growing steadily and have hit some great form this season.



“I think they are an even bigger threat this year than last. Given the amount of changes they’ve made and another year on and they are tighter as a bunch of players and more together. They have bought good quality in. They will get stronger as they know each either more and more.

“They have started to show on the pitch you have to take them seriously. City are a real force to be reckoned with now and it is down to us to make sure we counter that.

“I think it is great to have that challenge on your doorstep. A lot of the fans enjoy the rivalry but the players relish it as well. It is a big test.

“I certainly relished the game I played in last February. I really felt a part of United after that win.”

The Reds and Blues not only occupy the top two spots in the Premier League but the champions and FA Cup winners have had a storming start in the scoring stakes this season.

They’ve blown away opponents with 52 league goals between them with City just edging it as top scorers.

But Smalling believes United have become meaner since the cavalier opening to the season that saw them score 21 goals in the first five league matches.

“We have had some difficult games lately. But we showed we were more solid against Liverpool and were the same in Bucharest against Otelul Galati,” added Chris.

“The manager wanted to get that across to us because we had been a bit open. It has probably been great for the fans but I think we are starting to find a better blend now. We are scoring but we are getting tighter.

“We create a lot of chances but we have to make sure that we are defending together. We have started to become even more tight as a unit but we have still got an attacking threat to hurt people.

“The defences on Sunday could be key. It could come down to which is more solid because both sides have got great attacking talent.

“City have been very solid the last few years but this year they have gone out and bought some attacking players so they have two sides to their game now.

“These are the kind of tests I want. It is great to be able to say you have played against some of the best players and have more than matched them.”

Chris Smalling and Micah Richards were playing Battlefield 3, available on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC from october 28. To pre-order visit eastore.ea.com/battlefield. For latest news, visit facebook.com/battlefield or follow twitter.com/battlefield

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