Manchester rivalry that cuts through home life

Rory McIlroy is a committed fan of Manchester United and since he was a young boy has enjoyed bragging rights over his father Gerry, a Manchester City follower.

Rory McIlroy is a committed fan of the football side Manchester United and since he was a young boy has enjoyed family bragging rights over his father Gerry, a Manchester City follower, in their Holywood home in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Now he is worried that his dad will be the one doing more of the celebrating after last week's takeover of City by the Abu Dhabi United Group.

"He has been a bit quiet since we won the league championship and European Cup but he has been buzzing since he found out about the Abu Dhabi takeover of City," he said. "It will be interesting to see what happens in the January transfer window because if City buy a couple more good players they could become a real force in the game. They've certainly got a good manager [Mark Hughes] who can take them forward. Let's hope they don't become as strong as United."

McIlroy is also a keen tennis enthusiast and stayed up late after his play-off defeat in the European Masters on Sunday to watch Scotland's Andy Murray overcome the world No 1 Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals of the US Open. "I was very impressed with how Andy played and I hope he plays as well against [Roger] Federer in the final," he said. "I feel I can compare myself in golf with what he is doing in tennis, even though he has made more progress than me towards achieving his goals."

McIlroy will be watching more television when his European Tour colleagues take on the Americans in the Ryder Cup later this month. "I think Europe have a very strong team this year and it is going to be tough for the United States to win back the trophy," he added. "I hope to be involved when the next one comes round at Celtic Manor in 2010, but that is not my main objective at the moment. "The important thing is to play well in the major tournaments. If I do that then the qualifying points will come automatically."

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