Ruben Dias: Manchester City use rivals' hatred as fuel to succeed

Ruben Dias is ready to use the utterings of Manchester City’s doubters and detractors as fuel to launch their bid to repeat last season's historic treble.

The Portugual defender revealed he attempts to shut out all the outside noise but admits that – unlike the vast majority of Premier League attackers – some of it does get through his stout defence.

But far from upsetting him, he says the brickbats, barbs and “hatred” only serve as a reminder of how successful City have been.

Dias, nursing a broken hand, starred in the 3-1 win at Brentford on Monday night which left Pep Guardiola’s side well placed to create history by becoming the first team to win a fourth Premier League title in succession.

“I don't really engage with a lot of the talk that goes around during the season because, in the end, football is football and it’s not about how it starts it’s about how it ends,” said the 26-year-old defender. “I think one way or another you hear a little bit because it’s impossible not to, especially these days.

“People love to talk and the more you win, the more successful you are as a team and an individual, the more people want to take you down. We take it.

“Please make noise around us because it will just make it bigger every time we win again. That’s purely how I take it. There has been noise before and people love the scenario of us not making it.”

Dias and his teammates could hit the Premier League summit, for a few hours at least, this Saturday and are also looking forward to last-16 ties against Luton Town (FA Cup) and Copenhagen (Champions League) as they defend all legs of last season’s treble.

It is exactly where City want to be at this stage of the season, but Dias insists it does come with its own complications.

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