Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure has iterated his desire to remain at the Etihad Stadium long enough to make the club bigger than cross town rivals Manchester United.
Yaya Toure is a man reborn at Manchester City. After clashing with manager Pep Guardiola alongside his combative agent Dimitri Seluk earlier in the season, all had seemed lost for the Ivorian. Guardiola’s exclusion of Toure from Manchester City’s Champions League group stage squad was a sign of things to come as the Etihad exit door loomed.
However, he has made peace with his former Barcelona boss since then, managing six consecutive appearances for Manchester City in the centre of the park including a brace in a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace. And now, with influential midfielder Ilkay Gundogan facing a long spell on the sidelines, Toure appears set to be involved heavily in Guardiola’s plans heading into the second half of the season.
As reported by ESPN FC, Toure, who was giving his first public interview since being reinstated in Guardiola’s Etihad setup, talked about eclipsing fierce city rivals Manchester United, saying: “When I signed for City, I came to this club to make history. I want this club to change, I want this club to be bigger than United. I know it’s going to be a lot of work, but that’s my dream. That’s what I like, the challenge, I love a challenge.”
Toure, whose contract at Manchester City runs out at the end of the season, also spoke of his intention to extend his stay at the club and remain involved with the first team beyond June 2017. He added: “Of course I want to be involved, but it depends on the manager. I will be fully prepared for any situation. But I will give 100 percent for this club, for these fans. If I can do more, I will do it.”
Manchester City have finished ahead of Manchester United in each of the last three seasons and were a massive 22 points in front of the Red Devils as they won their last Premier League title in the 2013/14 season. They are ahead of United this season as well, as they sit third in the Premier League table, six clear of Jose Mourinho’s side who are sixth with 30 points.
However, their brand recognition and revenues continue to remain some way behind those of Manchester United. But it is matters on the field that are somewhat in the hands of Toure, and he would like to establish Manchester City’s superiority over Manchester United as long as he remains at the Etihad Stadium.