The work ethic between the city and the football club is something Nike, Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson have been keen to emphasize. When asked how important the similarities between Manchester United and the city of Manchester were, Sir Alex answered: Well, I think the great similarity is the industrial part of Manchester, which has always been there, like the cotton mills. For instance, Manchester United started from a railway background and if you look at the club, it has always had a great work ethic about it, and the players who have been successful in this club have adopted that fantastic work ethic. That is what Manchester is really; its a working class city, with working class people - and thats our history".