Manchester City fans coming 'out of the woodwork' says Rio Ferdinand

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand (GETTY IMAGES)

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand is eager to win the Premier League title - if only to stop Manchester City's fans from coming "out of the woodwork".

The Manchester clubs are locked in a battle for the trophy with United leading their cross-city rivals by a single point with nine games remaining.

City have not won a top-flight crown since 1968 and, after lifting the FA Cup last term, Ferdinand believes the blue half of Manchester has become more evident.

"Walking around in town, you see more and more blue shirts than you probably ever would have seen over the last 10 years," he told BBC Sport.

"Success sometimes brings people out of the woodwork.

"So fingers crossed we can delay that and make sure that we get this title sewn up this season."

PA