Manchester's locals feel Manchester
City's spending spree has unsettled
Manchester United manager
Sir Alex Ferguson.
Rafael Cabrera, owner of Manchester's most loved Spanish
restaurant El Rincon, witnesses it daily. Fans, staff and players
from both clubs eat at his tables regularly.
Cabrera, a Stockport County player in the Sixties and Seventies,
told the Daily Mail: "It has definitely changed and
Sir Alex Ferguson has recognised
that by what he has said. I think most people expected him to rise
above the things that City have said and done.
"But he didn't and that surprised people. I think it sums up the
new atmosphere. He had his say and now the fans have followed.
They're on the attack now, too."
Former City wing half Fred Eyre - dining with Cabrera on
Thursday, said: "Yes, that sums up why everybody is getting so
worked up about the new season.
"For the first time in ages, the two clubs will be competitive
and I'm not sure United fans really know how to take that. They've
been used to patting City fans on their heads, allowing them the
odd triumph on derby day or whatever.
"United fans have always known that City would never really
threaten them in the long run and now it could be a little
different.
"City loved it when Fergie reacted to the posters the way that
he did. We all thought he would ignore it."