Pressure is on big-spending City - Herrera

Ander Herrera helped Manchester United to a 4-0 win over Everton.

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The first shots have been fired in Manchester's battle for Premier League supremacy, with United midfielder Ander Herrera claiming there is greater onus on City to win the title because of their unprecedented summer spending and failure to win silverware last season.

United reacted to City's 6-0 trouncing of Watford on Saturday by beating Everton 4-0 at Old Trafford 24 hours later to leave the teams inseparable at the top of the table with the same number of points, goals scored and goals conceded after five matches.

United, however, won the Europa League, EFL Cup and Community Shield last season, with Herrera claiming that means City are in greater need of silverware.

"We won three titles last season and City didn't win anything," he said. "They are under pressure. They need titles to keep everyone happy. They are obligated to win titles. We won three last season so they have more obligation than us.

"But you know when you play for Man United winning is an expectation and an obligation but I like that obligation to be honest."

United were hardly shy in the transfer market in the summer, but Herrera believes City's £215m splurge is another reason why expectations are far higher on Guardiola's side.

"Man City have spent the biggest amount in the Premier League, so they are the principle contenders for the title," the Spaniard added. (© Daily Telegraph, London)