Rio Ferdinand dig at 'more visible' Man City fans

Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand has had a dig at Manchester City fans by suggesting they are only more visible now the club is tasting success.

City won the FA Cup last season and are currently battling with Manchester United for the Premier League title.

"Walking around in town, you see more and more blue shirts than you probably ever would have seen over the last 10 years," the defender told BBC Sport.

"Success sometimes brings people out of the woodwork."

The 33-year-old added: "So fingers crossed we can delay that and make sure that we get this title sewn up this season."

Earlier in the season, City held a five-point lead over United at the top of the table, but now trail Sir Alex Ferguson's side after a run of form that has seen the Red Devils win eight of their last nine matches.

When asked if the title might hinge on the game between City and United at the Etihad Stadium on 30 April, Ferdinand responded: "Who knows? We'll have to wait and see. In an ideal world, we'll have it sewn up by the time we go there.

"But I don't expect it to be finished by the time we go their stadium.

"Every game is a cup final now. Every result now is going to sway the title this way or that. If we win the games that we've got left, we win the league. But it's not as easy as that."

United have won the title 12 times since City last triumphed in 1968, but Ferdinand does not believe there is an extra edge to United's preparations because their nearest challengers are their local rivals.

"At Manchester United, that edge comes from within," said the former England captain.

"We drive each other on as individuals, as a collective. No matter who we are rivals with for our title, it doesn't really matter."