Bernardo: We know what the Manchester derby means to our fans | OneFootball

Bernardo Silva says the City squad all understand the importance of facing United in Sunday’s Manchester derby.

Pep Guardiola’s side will play host to our cross-city rivals at the Etihad in what will be the 188th Manchester derby.

With a new United manager at the helm in Erik ten Hag, it promises to be one of the most intriguing and eagerly anticipated derbies in recent years.

And looking ahead to the game, Bernardo revealed how the City players were well aware of how important the occasion was to the fans and pledged they would be going the extra mile in a bid to claim the three points - and the Manchester bragging rights.

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“You always give 100% when you play for Manchester City but when you play against United, Liverpool or in other important games there’s always that extra that comes from your soul,” Bernardo said.

“It’s the derby!

“You always have that extra energy to give, and you know what it means to the fans. You want to get them the win.

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“Over the last few years we’ve been more successful at Old Trafford than at home.

“It’s an important game in an important part of the season. We really want the three points.”

In his five years at City to date, more often than not the derby has brought the best out of our Portuguese midfielder.

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He has been a pivotal figure in several memorable victories against United but said one derby in particular stood out for him.

Our 2-0 victory at Old Trafford in April 2019, when Bernardo scored a superb opening goal to set City on the way to a win that proved pivotal in our subsequent Premier League title success.

“My second season (2018/19) when we played them two or three games before the end of the Premier League season (is my favourite derby memory),” Bernardo added.

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“We won 2-0 (at Old Trafford) and I scored the first goal. That game was really important for us because Liverpool were one point behind us.

“That title was crazy, the way we came from behind from I think eight or nine points. It was a good feeling when we were on top of them.

“To stay at the top was tough because we had to beat United away, then beat Leicester at home with Vincent Kompany’s goal.

“Those games were tough but the feelings after were just unbelievable.”

You can cheer on City in another Etihad Stadium Manchester derby later this season when we host United in the Barclays Women’s Super League.

The fixture, which is set to be played over the weekend of 10/11 December, will be the third time our women’s first team have played at the Etihad.

City hosted Everton there back in May 2014, before welcoming our local rivals in September 2019, when Caroline Weir’s wonder strike saw us run out 1-0 winners in front of what was then a WSL record crowd, and remains a club record of over 30,000 fans.

With over 20,000 tickets already sold, it promises to be another historic occasion. You can secure your tickets online by visiting: www.mancity.com/tickets/womens or by calling: +44 (0)161 444 1894.