Man City face issue that will ‘never change’ as Man Utd and Liverpool set the tone

Manchester City have enjoyed huge success since their takeover but Jamie Carragher claims they will never be able to match the profile of Manchester United or Liverpool

Manchester City will never be able to trump Liverpool or Manchester United as the biggest club in the country – even if they win more trophies, claims Jamie Carragher.

Pep Guardiola’s side have enjoyed a meteoric rise over the past two decades, owing largely to their takeover, which has seen their global standing go through the roof. Domestically they have established themselves as the dominant force. But despite that Carragher claims they will never be able to surpass the country’s two biggest teams and doubts whether any of their rivalries could ever leapfrog some of the more historical match-ups we’ve had in this country.

City’s rise has seen their rivalry with United heighten whilst their clashes with Liverpool have often proved to be title-defining and been regarded as some of the highest quality matches we’ve seen. Carragher though maintains that the Reds vs United will always be the country’s greatest contest.

He said: “Manchester City will never be bigger than Manchester United. And Liverpool vs Man City will never be bigger than Liverpool vs Man United. That just won’t happen, it can’t happen. Historically, Liverpool and Manchester United will always be the biggest two clubs in this country. I don’t think that will ever change.

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“It’s very difficult for teams who come later. It’s almost set in stone who the huge clubs are. They [City] may end up having more trophies and league titles if they carry on winning and if United keep not being in the shout for trophies, but it’s difficult to see any club in this country ever being above Liverpool or Manchester United in terms of size and stature.”

Carragher’s comments come three years after he did indeed declare City vs Liverpool as the “greatest rivalry in English history”. Albeit there is a difference between great and big, something he could make a clear distinction on.

He had said: “Liverpool versus Manchester City has become the greatest, most intense and highest quality rivalry in English football history. There is a uniqueness to it. This is the first time the two best teams in England are the two best teams in the world, led by the two greatest coaches of their generation.”

In terms of outright silverware Liverpool currently lead the way having lifted 70 trophies. That included twenty titles and six European Cups – more than any of their English counterparts. United are narrowly below having won 68 trophies in total.

City’s rapid progress means that they are now the joint-fourth-most successful in English history. While Arsenal are a clear third with 49 trophies, but those from the blue half of Manchester have drawn level with Chelsea on 36.

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