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Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson reckons having neighbours Manchester City as silverware challengers is now a permanent situation.
United have ruled the roost in the city for decades, winning trophies regularly while in the same period City endured a slow decline culminating in the ignominy of a spell in League One.
Now the millions pumped in to the Etihad have elevated them to the position of title rivals and Ferguson only sees that scenario continuing in the future.
Ahead of the vital Manchester derby on Monday night, Ferguson has warned United to expect a more consistent battle on a season-to-season basis with their neighbours.
"We have to get used to playing Manchester City in important games," he said, “they are not going away.
“The support they have means we are going to be playing them in a lot of big games.
"Finals maybe, we already have done in semi-finals, an important cup tie this season.
"If we are going to be contesting for league titles regularly - and I think we will be doing - it will become just as important as the Liverpool game.
"Maybe not in terms of emotion, because the Liverpool-United games are emotional.
"But there is certainly an importance which, at this moment in time, supersedes the Liverpool games.
"They are our direct opponents now. Manchester City are up against us to win titles.
"That is what our focus is on, the team who can stop us winning."
