Rio Ferdinand believes Manchester City have shown a key trait that Manchester United have lost over the years, which means they've lost touch with their rivals.
Since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013, City have had the bragging rights over United when it comes to trophies, with their 13 far outweighing their rivals’ four during the same period.
It’s a gulf that has increased during Pep Guardiola’s time in charge of the Blues, with the former Barcelona boss guiding his side to 10 trophies since arriving at the Etihad in 2016, while they look well-placed to add at least another league title this season.
Meanwhile, United are still struggling to find their identity since Ferguson gave up the reins, and find themselves in a battle just to finish in the top four of the Premier League this season.
And Ferdinand has seen a trait in Guardiola’s side that he recognises from his time at Old Trafford – and one that his old side have long lost.
“You know what Pep is now and what he’s created there at City?” Ferdinand told Vibe With Five.
“He said it the other day after a game I was doing for BT, they were talking about winning the Champions League and whether that would be his biggest achievement.
“He said ‘no, our biggest achievement is the fact that these guys have been able to grind out trophy after trophy’ in the five years he’s been there.
“They’ve been able to create that winning culture every year. He spoke about Kevin De Bruyne specifically being there every year he’s been there, and the fact that these guys, like him, can get up every day, and bring that winning mentality every day to the training ground and to the 90 minutes in the stadiums, that’s the beautiful thing for him, that’s what he loves.
“That’s what we had at United, that obviously isn’t there now. That culture that you set up is important.”
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