Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has stated that the spotlight ahead of Sunday's derby against Manchester United should not be on him personally, but rather on the team and the fans.

Maresca's City currently leads the Premier League standings with a perfect record of three wins from three matches. The upcoming derby at Old Trafford represents the toughest test of their season so far.

The Italian, who previously served as Pep Guardiola's assistant at City, emphasized that while a first derby win is important, his primary concern is maintaining the team's winning momentum. "To be honest, I’m more thinking about the team, the fans, the table," Maresca told reporters. "And for sure, if we win, it’s also good for me. But the main focus is not ‘It’s my first derby and I want to win the game.’ For sure, I want to win the game, but it’s because we want to continue to win games. That is good for everyone."

Mancity has enjoyed a dominant period over Manchester United since 2013, finishing above their rivals in the league every season. This recent history has led to comments, such as those from Elliot Anderson, referring to City as the "kings of Manchester."

Maresca acknowledged this shift in dominance, attributing it to City's success over the past 15 years. "The reason why Elliot said that is because he grew up in the last 15 years," Maresca explained. "I think Manchester City was unbelievable, what they achieved. So, I think it’s normal when Elliot said that. Then if you go back, it’s a different picture. But for me, the reason why Elliot said that is because when he grew up, Manchester City was dominant."

Manchester United, managed by Michael Carrick, have had a less convincing start to their campaign, securing only one win in their opening three fixtures, placing them five points behind their city rivals. City, conversely, have maintained an impressive away record at Old Trafford over the last decade, though they did suffer a defeat there in Pep Guardiola’s final game at the venue last year.

Maresca's comments come as his side looks to extend their winning streak and solidify their position at the top of the Premier League table. The derby presents an opportunity to not only continue their perfect start but also to maintain their historical advantage over Manchester United.

The match is poised to be a significant fixture, testing City's consistency and Maresca's managerial approach in a high-stakes encounter.