HATE LEAP FORWARD

Dias using City rivals' envy as fuel for run-in

- David McDonnell

RUBEN DIAS says Manchester City are relishing the fact they are the team everyone loves to hate and that they are ready to make their move again down the final straight.

Pep Guardiola's state-owned Treble winners have become the dominant force in English football and are on course for an unprecedented fourth straight Premier League title.

They are favourites to retain the Champions League as well and quite simply look set to dominate at home and abroad for years.

That success has come against a backdrop of suspicion, with City facing 115 charges of breaking the Premier League's Financial Fair Play rules, and rival clubs and fans are envious of their achievements.

City defender Dias believes such jealousy serves to push them even more and the players love the fact so many outside of the club want to see them fail.