Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes the Manchester derby is now as fierce as ever.

Ahead of Wednesday night's clash with Manchester City, Ferguson admits the showdown could be at its explosive best at Eastlands.

Although the Scot suggests the Red Devils' rivalry with Liverpool remains to be the bigger of the two, he does feel the media interest is bringing the cross-town connection closer with Citizens owner Sheikh Mansour's trying to turn the blue half of the city into a Premier League and European powerhouse.

"The Liverpool game is one of honour in terms of trophies won," said Ferguson.

"Liverpool edge it in European Cups, we edge it in FA Cups and World Championships. We are undoubtedly the two most successful clubs in British football.

"Now the meetings with City are ones of great intensity, which is built up by the media explosion around what they are doing and what they are trying to achieve.

"The fact we are both in the same city means there is an incredible intensity in this derby game now, which was not there 10 or 15 years ago."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email