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The Manchester Evening News have shone the spotlight of Manchester football rivalries onto two young boys this weekend as they have reported Robin van Persie and Phil Neville have chosen to send their talented sons to Man City’s training rather than Man United’s.

The M.E.N stir the pot writing comments like “it is unclear why striker van Persie, who cost United £24m and Neville, who spent 10 years there as a player after coming through the youth ranks and has returned as a coach, have decided to point their children in the direction of the Reds’ cross-town rivals.”

Guessing at why the Dutch international and former England midfielder have chosen City over United, M.E.N postulate the City are more attractive at the moment as they are investing loads of money into youth projects in an effort to comply with Financial Fair Play rules.

The article closes by confirming “both [kids] go to training sessions with the Blues although it is not understood that either have actually signed for the club yet. Youngsters cannot do so until the end of their Under 8s season.”

In a strange omission, the M.E.N article fails to mention that fellow Man United heroes Andy Cole and Darren Fletcher also send their children to Man City’s academy.

An old clip of Robin van Persie conceding a goal to his son Shaqueel can be seen below.

City were reduced to ten men in tenth minute when captain Vincent Kompany was dismissed for fouling Hull striker Nikica Jelavic.

But the Sky Blues did not let Kompany's dismissal faze them and they soon took the lead through David Silva.

City managed to hold on to their lead despite mounting pressure from Hull and wrapped up the points in the 90th minute through Edin Dzeko.

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“I think it was a very good response from the team, it was a very difficult week and then we had to start this game playing with one player less after 10 minutes”

Manuel Pellegrini

Pellegrini said: "I think it was a very good response from the team. It was a very difficult week and then we had to start this game playing with one player less after 10 minutes.

"It was more difficult to play with 10 players but I trust the team, I trust the players and I think we did really well with the ball."

On Kompany's red card, Pellegrini added: "I thought before it was clear foul by Jelavic - before Vincent did his foul - but the referee didn't see it, he saw the foul of Kompany and he sent him off."

Stoke City travelled to the Etihad last week with the hope of capitalising on Manchester City’s recent defeat at the hands of Barcelona in the Champions League. The visitors, defending deep, coped well with the considerable attacking power of Man City and were unlucky not to take the lead when Charlie Adam had a shot palmed wide by keeper Joe Hart.

The Potters will be hoping to return to the form, which had seen them go 3 games unbeaten before their trip to the Etihad.

With 12 Attacking contributions (crosses, passes, shots on target and dribbles) The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index shows that Peter Crouch proved to be Stokes most dangerous player at the Etihad. Crouch completed 12 passes in the opposition half; more than any other Stoke player.

Marko Arnautovic played an integral role in containing City’s firepower upfront.  With a tackle win percentage of 100%, equally important to the Potter’s stubborn defensive display was Ryan Shawcross.  The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index shows that he made 12 defensive contributions during his sides defeat and has the highest number of defensive contributions at the club with 307.

Following his double strike which gave Stoke a rare win at Old Trafford, Charlie Adam will be hoping to build on his recent form and add to his current season which has seen him become Stoke’s top striker with a total of 6 goals