Manuel Pellegrini has insisted that local rivals Manchester United are no better than last season's team, despite spending more than £150m on new recruits this summer.
His Manchester City team go into Sunday's game at the Etihad Stadium on the back of two consecutive defeats and face a Red Devils side that netted a late equaliser at home to Chelsea last weekend.
However, the Chilean is adamant that United have failed to improve because new manager Louis van Gaal and his recent signings have not bedded in as yet.
The Blues boss is quoted by The Mirror as saying: "I think Manchester United have bought some very important players and they are in a moment where they have started with a new manager and new players and it's not easy to start like that.
"The same thing happened with me last year, and I think they are in a similar situation now."
City go into the game six points behind leaders Chelsea in the Premier League table.
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