Yaya Toure's title blast at rival Alex Ferguson

Posted Tuesday, August 02, 2011 by The Sun

YAYA TOURE wants to send a clear message to Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson on Sunday: The Noisy Neighbours are getting louder.

Toure says it is vital Manchester City beat United in the Community Shield to prove they are serious Premier League title rivals.

The midfield star already knows what it is like to KO Fergie's men at Wembley — he scored in their FA Cup semi-final clash last season then hit the winner against Stoke in the final.

Toure said: "If it is possible it would be fantastic to score a third at Wembley. I like it there. But the most important thing is not that I score another goal there. It is that the whole team prove to our fans and everyone else that City are coming. We have to show United we are here.

"The league this year will be very hard and we will have to improve a lot, but then I think this will be the year for us.

"We are going to have to fight to show people that City are going all the way to the top. We have to make a statement from the start. I think other clubs are now starting to take notice of the new Manchester City."

Toure, 28, is happy with the way City are progressing after they lifted their first major trophy for 35 years by winning the FA Cup in May and then clinched third place in the Premier League.

He is excited about linking up with £35million new-boy Sergio Aguero, who is set to make his bow at Wembley after arriving from Atletico Madrid.

Former Barcelona ace Toure played against the Argentine striker while they were both in Spain and believes City fans are in for a treat.

He added: "The club are signing players and we are getting some good, important players returning to their best. Edin Dzeko is in good form and we have signed Aguero, so we're getting better and better.

"Aguero is a fantastic player. He is so smart, so clever. He is very, very fast.

"But you look through the squad and there is real quality in all positions — not just the starting 11 but on the bench too."

Toure claimed last season that City could be as good as his old club Barca — and he stands by it.

Pep Guardiola's men gave a masterclass as they put United to the sword with a superb 3-1 victory in the Champions League final in May.

Ivory Coast hero Toure added: "I said I thought City could be as good as Barca one day. That was before Barca's amazing finish to the season and their incredible performance in the Champions League final.

"But when I said that City could be as good, I truly believed it and still do. We obviously have a way to go to match those teams but it is our aim.

"And with the ambition the club have shown in the last few seasons and the way we are improving as a group we are making the right progress.

"We have shown we can match and beat the best in the Premier League and the next step is to do it against the best in Europe too."