NIGEL DE JONG has wound up Manchester United supporters by claiming Manchester City are the real club of the people.
De Jong claims most football fans in Manchester are City fans.
It is an age-old jibe aimed at Old Trafford that they have more followers down south than in their own locality, something they refute.
But City’s Dutch midfielder De Jong has turned up the heat ahead of tomorrow’s derby by claiming it is true.
He said: “You can see that in the city, a lot of local fans, more blue fans than red fans.
“If I take a cab, the driver is always a City fan.
“If I go to the shopping centre, all I see are City shirts. There are so many City fans. I was astonished when I first arrived because everyone was a blue fan.
“And I was like, ‘How does that work? United are the biggest club in the world, aren’t they?’
“People would explain to me, ‘That’s just a global thing, the real workers’ club is Manchester City’. And it’s true, it’s a working club.
“The people in Manchester can relate to this club because they are working people.
“They are very proud of it. That’s why Manchester City is so big locally, not worldwide, but definitely locally.â€
While United might be the bigger club, De Jong is excited at the prospect of catching up — as the richest club in the world have big plans under Sheikh Mansour.
De Jong, 24, said: “I like the idea of the adventures we could have at City.
“We’re in a development phase. That’s why I had a really good feeling when City made contact.
“I knew the club from television, it’s a really big, local club. You can see it is a big club and I like that. But I also like the idea behind Manchester City that you need patience. The expectations are high now but it is going to take time.â€
Having his feet on the ground is natural to De Jong, who believes he would be dead without the strength of character which got him out of a tough Amsterdam council estate.
He saw friends die from a life on the street while he chose a different path — football and his education.
And he had to help raise the family when his father walked out when he was just a teenager.
De Jong said: “I didn’t have a lot growing up. Plus I had to be mature.
City are the real club of the people, says Nigel De Jong
“You have to realise football is not for life. You can’t go on to 50. Football is 10 years and then it’s finished. You have to enjoy every moment and I try to as I’ve seen a lot of young guys die.â€
The ex-Ajax star started a luxury car business in Hamburg, where he played before joining City in January.
He revealed: “I’ve had it now for 18 months and it’s going very well. It’s an investment for myself. It’s import, export, classic cars, luxury cars, it depends what the customer needs.â€
The customers at Manchester City have enjoyed what they have seen from De Jong so far.
