Kyle Walker response to Manchester derby controversy speaks volumes about Man City change

Manchester City have their eyes on prizes beyond the Manchester derby ahead of their first meeting with Manchester United since the FA Cup Final.

City beat United 2-1 at Wembley to claim the second leg of their Treble, before winning 1-0 against Inter in the Champions League final to achieve something only United had previously managed in English football. Having spent decades as the underdogs in the derby, the Blues have now finished ahead of their city rivals in each of the last 10 years.

That has not always been reflected in individual matches and United won this fixture 2-1 last season, albeit with considerable help from a refereeing decision that it was later admitted would not happen again. City have every right to be out for a bit of revenge, although Walker's reaction says a lot about how the Blues now view this game.

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"I don’t think we think like that. Last season is done, we lost at Old Trafford and went on to win the Treble. Ultimately that’s what matters," he said.

"Of course this game means a lot but it’s part of a bigger picture and okay we lost last season and the luck didn’t go in our favour but we bounced back from that and did what we did. We want to win the game because of what it means and because ultimately it will help us in trying to win the Premier League again. We don’t need to think beyond that."

Pep Guardiola spoke last week of the impact winning the Treble has had on the whole squad, with a short turnaround to reflect on their achievement and then return to the bottom of the next mountain to start climbing again. Walker does not