City centre chief Pat Karney has offered to give David de Gea’s girlfriend a tour of Manchester - and said the only thing the city has in common with a fridge is that it’s cool.

Coun Karney hit back after singer Edurne Garcia, 29, said Manchester was ‘not very nice’ and agreed ‘it’s as ugly as the back of a fridge’.

He has now offered to take her and the United goalkeeper on a guided tour of the city to show them the highlights they may be missing.

Coun Karney said: “The only thing Manchester has in common with a fridge is that it’s really cool.

“But Mancunians are renowned as some of the warmest people you could ever wish to meet.

“We attract millions of visitors a year who flock here for our nightlife and celebrations, our world-class cultural attractions, our shopping and of course our football.

“I’m not sure how much of the city Miss Garcia has seen, but we’d be delighted to take the couple on a tour and show them what they’re missing.”

Mancunians have also leapt to the defence of the city after Edurne’s comments on Spanish TV.

Promoting her entry to this year’s Eurovision song contest, she said: “It’s not very pretty, that’s the truth. You have to hunt for the good spots.

Pictured: David de Gea and Edurne Garcia

“But even then, Spain is nicer. But David’s changed everything, with him, everything looks wonderful.”

M.E.N readers took to our Facebook page to champion their city and suggest the Madrid-based singer should consider exploring more of her boyfriend’s adopted home.

Jason Jeandron said: “Perhaps someone should tell her to get out from behind the fridge and take a guided walking tour of the city and see Manchester in all its heritage and beauty.”

Katrina Gibbons said: “It’s a great place. I used to live in Stockport and I used to love going into Manchester, great for shopping and nights out. Had some great times there. The people are lovely.”

Brendan Vella said: “I’ve been to Spain, Australia and a lot of nice places. Manchester is not ugly, lots of history, great buildings.”

M.E.N associate editor Wayne Ankers added she may want to look closer to home before criticising the city.

He said: “I have always loved Spain. Just a couple of hours on a plane from Manchester, hot weather, excellent food, great culture and the San Miguel obviously goes down smoother in the sun.

So I was expecting a lot when I went to Madrid for the first time.

“But I came away feeling the capital of Spain is one of the wost cities I have ever visited.

“For starters it is not a patch on Barcelona, with its vibrant Las Ramblas, stunning Sagrada Familia, the Nou Camp and most importantly flamboyant friendly people.

“Compared to Barca and Manchester, Madrid is just miserable. The streets are dirty, the people are obnoxious and far from friendly - they grunt at you as they walk towards you in a bid to get you to move - and worst of all we couldn’t even find a decent place for Tapas!

“I must stress I visited Madrid about ten years ago and yes it may have changed.

“But the impression it left on me was that Madrid thinks it is special and does not care what tourists think. They are wrong, and I for one will never be going back.”