Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has raised the stakes ahead of Wednesday night's derby against Manchester City by branding the infamous 'Welcome to Manchester' poster as 'stupid'.
Even 16 months after the event, which marked Carlos Tevez's move from Old Trafford to Eastlands, Ferguson is still irked by its impact ahead of what promises to be a fiery midweek clash.
The United boss described City, who have emerged as a renewed threat courtesy owner Sheikh Mansour's millions, as 'noisy neighbours' following their marketing campaign.
And Ferguson has again been unable to allow the issue to pass ahead of Wednesday's meeting at Eastlands, suggesting that some City supporters will be 'embarrassed' by the poster.
"I don't know how it was created, probably some advertising gimmick at City. But I don't think they can be proud of it," he said. "I said it was stupid at the time. They probably think that now.
"I don't see how they thought it would get more points off us when it came to playing on a football pitch.
"Maybe it was worthwhile for some of the supporters but I think a lot of them were embarrassed. They would rather see that trophy being paraded through the city before they start screaming from the rooftops."
But no matter what pressure Ferguson finds himself under at Eastlands in the Premier League, there is nowhere he would prefer to be.
"Derby games are fantastic," said the 68-year-old. "What would you rather be doing, managing a game between City and United or Carlisle against Crewe?
"They are the ends of the spectrum. Derby games can divide husband and wife. You are involved in a game of emotions."
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