Enzo Maresca, the new head coach of Manchester City, has defended midfielder Elliot Anderson’s comments calling Manchester City the "kings of Manchester," a remark aimed at rival club Manchester United. Anderson, who joined City in the summer for £116 million, made the statement shortly after his arrival, highlighting City’s dominance in the city. Maresca explained that Anderson’s view is shaped by the club’s success over the past 15 years, during which City has won eight Premier League titles. While he acknowledged that Manchester United were the stronger force in the city before this period, Maresca said Anderson’s comments reflect the current reality of City’s achievements. Maresca will make his debut as City’s manager in a Manchester derby at Old Trafford on Sunday. The match will see Nico O’Reilly return to the starting lineup after recovering from a back injury, but Jeremy Doku will remain sidelined due to a calf injury. City has had two extra days of preparation compared to United, who played a Champions League match on Thursday. Maresca noted that such scheduling challenges are not uncommon, recalling last season when City played Napoli on a Thursday and then faced Arsenal the following Sunday. He expressed confidence in United’s ability to prepare despite the tight schedule. The expanded Champions League format has increased the number of matches teams must play in the group stage, adding to the challenge for clubs like City and United. Both teams are also involved in the Carabao Cup, with City facing Norwich in the third round next week and United playing Brighton before the derby. Maresca emphasized the importance of the derby, stating that it is a special occasion for players, fans, and staff alike. He noted that City has started the season strongly, winning all three of their league games, while United have only earned four points from their first three matches. Maresca has experience with high-stakes rivalries, having worked under Pep Guardiola during City’s rise to prominence. He described the Manchester derby as a significant event but noted that other rivalries, such as Olympiakos-Panathinaikos in Greece, are even more intense. Despite the pressure, Maresca is focused on ensuring his team remains true to their identity in the derby. "The most important thing we can do is try to be ourselves and then we see the final result," he said, highlighting the importance of maintaining the team’s identity in such a high-stakes match.