Anderson needed just three words to show what he gives City after United win

The England international was Manchester United's top target in the summer but always had his heart set on a move to City. United pulled out of the race to sign him as they could not match the Blues' financial muscle.

Had City lost or Anderson underperformed in the derby on Sunday, the 23-year-old's fighting talk would have been used as a stick to beat him with. Couple that with his £116m price tag, and it could have been a risky move for Anderson to raise his head above the parapet.

As it happened, the midfielder stepped up to show it was a risk worth taking. Phil Foden's red card on 23 minutes threatened to derail Anderson and his teammates, but the midfielder grew with the added expectation on his shoulders. His performance was exemplary.

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To get it, it's a simple one-two punch.

Anderson had the most touches (77) of any City player and his total of 47 accurate passes was also more than any other player in blue. Only Iliman Ndiaye and Enzo Fernandez were involved in more duels, and Matheus Nunes was the only man to win possession back more than him, according to Opta.

"We are now," the midfielder replied with a laugh when Sky Sports mentioned his 'Kings of Manchester' comments. "We always knew it was going to be a tough game. Obviously the red for Phil wasn't good for us but we said at half time it will make it feel even better for us if we win.

"It just gave us more motivation to go on and get the points. It was really tough for us but we just had to run more, fight more and I thought we all shone, to a man, and were brilliant."

Over the summer, the fear from City fans was how the Blues would cope without some of the elite personalities that defined success at the Etihad Stadium. Rodri and Bernardo Silva's departures were seen as particularly important roles to fill. It was not just a case of filling the holes left behind by them, City needed to replace their character too.

Anderson is proving he is the right man to do just that. He, along with his new teammates, stepped up when their backs were against the wall and pulled off a memorable victory at Old Trafford.

Ahead of the derby, when asked about Fernandez, Enzo Maresca said: "I always say the same that players that have already won, they know how to win, and it's important that they are in our squad."

While Fernandez has a more glittering CV, Anderson has that winning mentality in him, just like the Argentine. A self-confidence that can't be taught and a fight that any good side needs in the middle.

All signs suggest the 'Kings of Manchester' will be keeping their crown for some time to come and Anderson will be at the heart of it.