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13th May 2024
04:41pm BST
Rio Ferdinand has silenced claims that Manchester City are currently a bigger club than Manchester United.
The tide of power has changed in the English northwest as City's dominance over the last 15 years has coincided with United's drop off in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.
Pep Guardiola's side could win their fourth successive Premier League title this week and complete a league and cup double if they beat the Red Devils in the FA Cup final.
Last year they became the first English side since United to complete a historic Treble, winning their first Champions League title and many regard them as one of the best teams of all time.
While it's clear that United appear to be showing no signs of improvement, the club still remains one of - if not - the biggest teams globally, with millions desperate to get their hands on tickets.
City themselves are still trying to build their brand to appeal to the masses on a worldwide scale and when asked if City were currently a bigger side than United, Ferdinand immediately dismissed the idea.
"Never, ever," he immediately told JOE.
"Never in their history will there be a club bigger than Man United."
Expanding on his point, Ferdinand said: "History alone means they can't. It's not gonna happen but also the size of the football club, the worldwide fanbase.
"What happens when Man City fly around the world? Does anything happen when they land there?
"Not like Man United. When Man United land anywhere it's like The Beatles have come to town.
"City are in good shape and have made great strides but Man United is a different beast, completely."
Ferdinand was speaking to JOE as part of a collaboration with McDonald's ahead of mental health awareness week, which takes place from May 13-May 19.
To mark the occasion, McDonald's have removed the iconic smile from their boxes to encourage families to talk and allow children to know that it's okay to not always feel happy, after 48 per cent of children admitted they feel pressure to be happy all of the time.
Alongside the Happy Meal box, sheets of stickers will be included showing a variety of emotions that children can stick on their box to display how they are feeling.
For more information on the resources available, visit the McDonald’s Family Hub: https://www.mcdonalds.com/gb/en-gb/family-hub/the-meal.html
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