Manchester United star Ander Herrera claims the pressure is all on Manchester City in title race
ANDER HERRERA claims the pressure is all on City as the two Manchester clubs gear up for a titanic title tussle.
United’s midfielder says Pep Guardiola’s trophyless first season, along with huge summer spending, means he has to deliver this time around.
The Spaniard, 28, said: “City have spent the biggest amount in the Premier League so they are the principal contenders for the title.
“We will try to be there as well, we have quality as well, and we will fight for every title. But I think because of the money they have spent they are the favourites.
“There is always pressure when you spend a lot, but there is also pressure on us because we are the biggest club in England.”
City boss Guardiola was the Prem’s biggest spender in the summer with an outlay of £220million on six players.
That made it a total spend of £385m since taking over at the club.
United boss Jose Mourinho has not been shy in the transfer market either, spending £146m this summer to make it £295m in total under the Portuguese.
Herrera added: “We won three trophies last season and City didn’t win anything.
“They are under pressure. They need trophies. They are obligated to win trophies.
“They have more obligation than us.”
While United finished sixth behind third-placed City, they did win the EFL Cup, Europa League and Community Shield.
And Herrera likes the pressure of trying to add to the trophy haul.
He added: “You know when you play for Manchester United winning is an expectation and an obligation, but I like that.”
United and City are tied at the top of the table with the same record after five games.
They are three points ahead of champions Chelsea.
The Spanish midfielder also claims that David De Gea will be Manchester United’s key man as they bid to reclaim the Premier League crown.
While Old Trafford hitman Romelu Lukaku is in the spotlight for his goals, Herrera highlighted De Gea’s saves in the 4-0 win against Everton on Sunday as just as important.
The Spanish gloveman made two top-drawer stops to deny Wayne Rooney and Gylfi Sigurdsson when United held a slender 1-0 lead.
He said: “I respect all keepers — like Manuel Neuer, Gianluigi Buffon and Marc-Andre ter Stegen — but David right now is the No 1 in the world.
“It makes a difference when you have a keeper who wins you points.
“He is in that position now where he intimidates strikers.”
Nobody could have predicted such a development in De Gea after his uneasy first season at United in 2011-12, when he struggled to cope with the demands of the Premier League.
De Gea, 26, actually won the Prem in his second season — the last time United won the title.
Fellow Spaniard Herrera said: “David has been at the club six years and the first six months he told me were difficult for him — but after that he’s been the best.
“And you know how difficult it is for a keeper in the Premier League because sometimes the referees don’t give you some fouls.
“But David is always there. He makes some unbelievable saves.
“Even in training, we end up laughing at times because we try to score and it is just impossible.
“I just try to watch him and enjoy it. He is incredible.
“In Spain, we say he has a gift from God.”
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