Last Updated: Sat, 08 Dec 2012 12:02
Roberto Mancini says title rivals Manchester United are better than his Manchester City team ahead of Sunday's local derby.
Despite the fact City pipped United to the Premier League title last term, the Italian coach believes Sir Alex Feguson's men remain the team to catch in England.
He said: "They are better than us, I believe this. They have a strong mentality, they can play in two strong competitions like the Premier League and Champions League.
"Probably we don't have this strength in this moment. We need to work for this."
Ahead of the first Manchester derby of the season, Mancini insists his club do not fear the Red Devils like maybe they did in the past as City aim for a repeat of last term when they inflicted defeat on Sir Alex Ferguson's side both home and away.
"Now Manchester United-Manchester City is a different game. Maybe two or three years ago we feared United but now it is changed," he added.
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