WAYNE ROONEY has stoked the Manchester rivalry ahead of Sunday's derby by insisting that City remain an after-thought to United and will only be taken seriously at Old Trafford once they have the silverware to match their enviable bank balance.
United visit the City of Manchester Stadium this weekend for the first time since Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan's €250 million takeover elevated City to the richest club in the world and secured Robinho for a British record €38.6 million transfer.
The Brazilian's impact, the attempt to hijack Dimitar Berbatov's deadline-day move to United and the promise of unlimited funds for the manager, Mark Hughes, in January have all helped raise the profile and expectations of a club with designs on emulating their neighbours' global appeal. Rooney, however, believes Hughes' team are not even close to being considered the pre-eminent club in their own city.
"Sunday is a massive game," said the United striker. "It's a huge game for the players, the fans and the club after what happened at City with the takeover. It'll be nice to show them who are the kings of Manchester. It doesn't irritate us that City are getting all this publicity. If they were winning trophies it would irritate us, but while they're still lingering in mid-table we're not too bothered about it."
Despite the put-down, Rooney welcomed the influx of Abu Dhabi money into United's rivals and believes it will improve competition in the Premier League.
"The money coming into City is good for the league," he said. "For a few years the usual top four have been running away with it so you want more competition. If you end up with the top 10 fighting for the one place at the top then that will make it a more exciting league. It wouldn't bother me if City were making the challenge but you never know if City will be able to finish in the top four and make the breakthrough.
"We've seen Everton in the past few years finish in the top four and Aston Villa are getting close this season so you never know who might do it."
City won both Manchester derbies for the first time in 34 years last season and with United trailing Chelsea and Liverpool by eight points, Rooney admits there is more than parochial pride at stake on Sunday.
He added: "Even though we did end up winning the Premier League and Champions League last season we do owe the fans a derby win. We can't afford not to win, especially if Liverpool and Chelsea win at the weekend. We have to keep winning and I am sure we'll catch them up."
United's away form has been poor so far this season but the second half of the campaign brings all their major rivals to Old Trafford, and Rooney insists they have every chance of securing a third successive league title.
"Our away form hasn't been great, but we've had some difficult matches already. We're still not too far away from Chelsea and Liverpool and we normally finish the season strongly."
Rooney has not scored in eight appearances for United since a purple patch of nine in seven matches for club and country last month. It means the €32 million forward enters the Manchester derby on 99 club goals. He added: "When I'm scoring I'm up there with the best in the world, but when I'm not people say I shouldn't be playing. I don't know why I score in bursts. I've been like that ever since I started playing."
