The 24-year-old professed not to know too much about the rivalry between City and United.

If that is true, the fur will really start flying when he does.

Because within two minutes of the start of a press conference to confirm his £27million arrival from Wolfsburg, City's newest recruit hit the rawest of United nerves.

"I decided to come here because I saw something else in Manchester City," he outlined.

"It is a big club with big ambition and I am an ambitious player.

"I know this is a big project. Manchester City are a very good team. They have a very good coach. And I have heard a lot about the fans.

"I have also heard that most of the people from Manchester are Manchester City fans."

The issue over who is the best-supported team in Manchester has often been debated, which is when the global nature of United's fan-base tends to be brought up.

City fans will certainly revel in Dzeko's words, which will ensure the Bosnian gets a pretty warm reception on Saturday, when he is expected to be on the bench at worst for the Premier League encounter with Wolves at Eastlands.

It will mark the start of what the Bosnian hopes will be a long and fruitful relationship, one which McClaren is convinced will pay rich dividends.

City had already made their interest in Dzeko known before McClaren became Wolfsburg boss. And if the striker had been granted his wish, one of the former Middlesbrough manager's first tasks would have been to grant his exit.

Instead, McClaren kept hold of his star man for another six months. Enough time to reinforce Dzeko's desire to join the ambitious Eastlands outfit.

"He told me all the best things about the Premier League. And he told me that City were the team for me," said Dzeko.

"He also said they needed someone like me.

"He told me the Premier League is strong and I will need to get used to it.

"But people might say I am suited to the English game. We will only see if that is correct when I step out on to the pitch."

Dzeko comes across as a level-headed individual, which is testament to the 24-year-old's character given his upbringing in war-torn Sarajevo.

It is possibly why Dzeko never let his head drop, even when he was being sold by FK Zeljeznicar for the paltry sum of £20,000 just five-and-a-half years ago.

As it turned out, former coach Jiri Plišek had seen something in the youngster, transforming him from a midfielder into a central striker.

The move paid huge dividends. Within two years he was joining Wolfsburg for almost £4million, since when his development has continued.

Dzeko was one of the major influences behind Wolfsburg's surprise title triumph in 2009 and last term, having scored in both of his team's Champions League meetings with Manchester United, he finished top of the German goalscoring charts.

"I was at Wolfsburg for three-and-a-half years," he said.

"It was a very beautiful time for me and I had a lot of success.

"I was very happy there, but I needed to change.

"I needed to try something new, something better. That is why I am here at Manchester City."

Dzeko has not just arrived at City. He has also become the sixth most expensive player England has ever known.

One of the five above him, Andriy Shevchenko, is his footballing hero.

Shevchenko did not have a great time in England with Chelsea though as his arrival coincided with Manchester United's return to prominence.

United are at the head of affairs once more.

But, having stirred the pot upon his arrival, Dzeko is now keen to snatch what would be United's record 19th championship from under their noses.

"Everything is possible in football," he said.

"We are two points behind Manchester United, so we have to try to win the next game and see what happens."