Manchester City and England goalkeeper Joe Hart has claimed that it is a "great honour" to receive praise from Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

The Red Devils coach revealed last month that he missed out on bringing the 24-year-old to Old Trafford during his young playing days at Shrewsbury Town.

"It's a great honour that someone like Sir Alex Ferguson goes out of his way to mention my name," Hart told Goal.com. "Hopefully it speaks volumes for how I'm doing at the moment.

"For someone who I respect greatly and who I grew up admiring in football to say that is a great honour. I'm not quite sure what he meant by it but he's got fantastic goalkeepers there with [Anders] Lindegaard and David de Gea. And I'm quite happy on the other side of the city.

"I love Manchester City, I love playing for them. I'm really proud to have signed a long-term contract last summer and hopefully that can continue for a long time to come."

Man City currently sit two points above their arch rivals at the top of the Premier League table.