Hart: City, United on par

Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart believes the English Premier League champions are on ‘par’ with their rivals Manchester United.

The 25-year-old has established himself as Manchester City’s first-choice goalkeeper, and has proven his worth in Europe, giving his side false hope in the Champions League against Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid.

The 2010/11 Golden Glove winner told the Daily Mail he feels City have caught up with rivals Manchester United.

“I think we are on an even par with United. They carry that tradition and that shirt, that red shirt that takes them to a different level sometimes, but I’m sure that over time the blue shirt will be the same,” Hart said.

“I feel that when we play we are never going to lose. I feel that something will always happen.

“Maybe it has happened more often with United over the years and so people say it is ‘classic United’, but we are beginning to do that too.

“It just needs two or three players to come good this season and everything will change.”

City have had a mixed season, and despite only losing one Premier League game, they are six points adrift of leaders United.

As well as trailing in the league, Roberto Mancini’s side crashed out of Europe with only two points, finishing bottom of their group.

“With the good comes the bad and you have to deal with it. The season has been indifferent. We have had two teams, one in Europe and one in the league,” Hart said.

“We know we haven’t been great all the time but we know we have that greatness inside us and when it does come it will put us in a very good place.

“I am in a position where so many people say so many nice things and that’s great. But sometimes it’s inevitable that you will find someone who doesn’t agree and will criticise you.

“I think it actually pays to listen to those who may be saying things that hurt you at the time. At the end of the day, you may learn something.

“When criticism comes what we have to do is be strong internally and pull together and in the same direction. If that’s the case then you are OK. This is football. It’s how it works. Something else always happens the next day, there is another game a few days later.”