Manchester City signing Yaya Toure says manager Roberto Mancini was a big influence in his decision to leave Barcelona for Eastlands.
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson expressed an interest, although, according to Toure, he did not use the same personal touch he got from City boss Roberto Mancini.
"When you sign for any team, the most important thing is the contact you have with the trainer," he claimed. "When they do something and they put pressure on in some way to sign you it is very important.
"When you don't talk with the trainer it is bad.
"That is why I came to Manchester City. We have a fantastic coach and we are signing good players. It will be great here this year."
Revenge could come in one of this season's Manchester derbies, when City will look to make amends for three last-gasp defeats to their old rivals.
Before that, City must play Tottenham, Liverpool and the rest - challenges Toure insists he is relishing.
"I love the Premier League," he said. "I have always wanted to play here. The biggest players play here.
"People like Steven Gerrard and my biggest friend Didier Drogba. Physically it is good. You have to be strong and I am thirsty to do well here.
"There are so many big teams - Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United and the rest.
"But City are here now and maybe for United that is not so nice because we are making good progress.
"I really want to see how they do against us."
