Manuel Pellegrini has claimed Manchester City have overtaken Manchester United as the dominant force in their city this season.
The Blues boss was asked about the strengths of both clubs as he prepared his side for first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Barcelona.
City head into the clash at the Etihad Stadium still in contention in four competitions, while traditional powerhouses United have endured a difficult campaign.
Pellegrini oversaw a 4-1 defeat of United back in September
The Chilean, speaking at his pre-match press conference, said: "If we only consider this season, there is just one club in Manchester and it's ours, but you cannot forget what United has done in the previous years.
"We are aiming to keep growing by winning many trophies, not just national but international trophies.
"We are fighting for four titles this year. We have to be patient because you cannot change the team from one day to another. We have to keep the philosophy of the style and for that you need time."
Pellegrini
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Manchester City's Chilean manager Manuel Pellegrini (R) takes a training session at The Etihad Stadium in Manchester, northwest England on February 17, 2014, one day ahead of their Champions League last 16, first leg match against Barcelona. AFP PHOTO / PAUL ELLIS (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester City Training and Press Conference(02 of30)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 17: Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini with a member of his coaching staff looks on during a training session ahead of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 match 1st leg against Barcelona at Etihad Stadium on February 17, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Manchester City's Ivorian midfielder Yaya Toure (C) and Manchester City's Chilean manager Manuel Pellegrini (R) address the media at a press conference at The Etihad Stadium in Manchester, northwest England on February 17, 2014, one day ahead of their Champions League last 16, first leg match against Barcelona. AFP PHOTO / PAUL ELLIS (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Manchester City's Chilean manager Manuel Pellegrini (C) talks to players and staff during a training session at The Etihad Stadium in Manchester, northwest England on February 17, 2014, one day ahead of their Champions League last 16, first leg match against Barcelona. AFP PHOTO / PAUL ELLIS (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester City Training and Press Conference(05 of30)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 17: Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini with gives instruction to his squad during a training session ahead of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 match 1st leg against Barcelona at Etihad Stadium on February 17, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester City Training and Press Conference(06 of30)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 17: Manchester City have a team talk by the manager Manuel Pellegrini during a training session ahead of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 match 1st leg against Barcelona at Etihad Stadium on February 17, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Manchester City's Chilean manager Manuel Pellegrini (3rd R) walks with players and staff during a training session at The Etihad Stadium in Manchester, northwest England on February 17, 2014, one day ahead of their Champions League last 16, first leg match against Barcelona. AFP PHOTO / PAUL ELLIS (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Manchester City's Chilean manager Manuel Pellegrini talks to players and staff during a training session at The Etihad Stadium in Manchester, northwest England on February 17, 2014, one day ahead of their Champions League last 16, first leg match against Barcelona. AFP PHOTO / PAUL ELLIS (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Manchester City's Chilean manager Manuel Pellegrini (R) takes a training session at The Etihad Stadium in Manchester, northwest England on February 17, 2014, one day ahead of their Champions League last 16, first leg match against Barcelona. AFP PHOTO / PAUL ELLIS (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester City Training and Press Conference(10 of30)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 17: Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini with gives instruction to his squad during a training session ahead of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 match 1st leg against Barcelona at Etihad Stadium on February 17, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester City Training and Press Conference(11 of30)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 17: Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini with gives instruction during a training session ahead of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 match 1st leg against Barcelona at Etihad Stadium on February 17, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester City Training and Press Conference(12 of30)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 17: Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini with coach Brian Kidd gives instruction during a training session ahead of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 match 1st leg against Barcelona at Etihad Stadium on February 17, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester City Training and Press Conference(13 of30)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 17: Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini with a member of his coaching staff looks on during a training session ahead of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 match 1st leg against Barcelona at Etihad Stadium on February 17, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Manchester City's Chilean manager Manuel Pellegrini (C) talks to players and staff during a training session at The Etihad Stadium in Manchester, northwest England on February 17, 2014, one day ahead of their Champions League last 16, first leg match against Barcelona. AFP PHOTO / PAUL ELLIS (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Manchester City's Chilean manager Manuel Pellegrini (L) addresses the media during a press conference at The Etihad Stadium in Manchester, northwest England on February 17, 2014, one day ahead of their Champions League last 16, first leg match against Barcelona. AFP PHOTO / PAUL ELLIS (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Manchester City's Chilean manager Manuel Pellegrini (L) addresses the media during a press conference at The Etihad Stadium in Manchester, northwest England on February 17, 2014, one day ahead of their Champions League last 16, first leg match against Barcelona. AFP PHOTO / PAUL ELLIS (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Manchester City's Chilean manager Manuel Pellegrini (R) addresses the media during a press conference at The Etihad Stadium in Manchester, northwest England on February 17, 2014, one day ahead of their Champions League last 16, first leg match against Barcelona. AFP PHOTO / PAUL ELLIS (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Manchester City's Ivorian midfielder Yaya Toure (L) and Manchester City's Chilean manager Manuel Pellegrini address the media at a press conference at The Etihad Stadium in Manchester, northwest England on February 17, 2014, one day ahead of their Champions League last 16, first leg match against Barcelona. AFP PHOTO / PAUL ELLIS (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Manchester City's Ivorian midfielder Yaya Toure (L) and Manchester City's Chilean manager Manuel Pellegrini address the media at a press conference at The Etihad Stadium in Manchester, northwest England on February 17, 2014, one day ahead of their Champions League last 16, first leg match against Barcelona. AFP PHOTO / PAUL ELLIS (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Manchester City's Chilean manager Manuel Pellegrini addresses the media during a press conference at The Etihad Stadium in Manchester, northwest England on February 17, 2014, one day ahead of their Champions League last 16, first leg match against Barcelona. AFP PHOTO / PAUL ELLIS (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Manchester City's Ivorian midfielder Yaya Toure (L) and Manchester City's Chilean manager Manuel Pellegrini address the media at a press conference at The Etihad Stadium in Manchester, northwest England on February 17, 2014, one day ahead of their Champions League last 16, first leg match against Barcelona. AFP PHOTO / PAUL ELLIS (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester City Training and Press Conference(22 of30)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 17: Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini listens to questions from the media during a press conference after a training session ahead of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 match 1st leg against Barcelona at Etihad Stadium on February 17, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester City Training and Press Conference(23 of30)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 17: Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini listens to questions from the media during a press conference after a training session ahead of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 match 1st leg against Barcelona at Etihad Stadium on February 17, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Manchester City's Chilean manager Manuel Pellegrini addresses the media during a press conference at The Etihad Stadium in Manchester, northwest England on February 17, 2014, one day ahead of their Champions League last 16, first leg match against Barcelona. AFP PHOTO / PAUL ELLIS (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester City Training and Press Conference(25 of30)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 17: Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini listens to questions from the media during a press conference after a training session ahead of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 match 1st leg against Barcelona at Etihad Stadium on February 17, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester City Training and Press Conference(26 of30)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 17: Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini and midfielder Yaya Toure listen to questions from the media during a press conference after a training session ahead of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 match 1st leg against Barcelona at Etihad Stadium on February 17, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester City Training and Press Conference(27 of30)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 17: Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini listens to questions from the media during a press conference after a training session ahead of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 match 1st leg against Barcelona at Etihad Stadium on February 17, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester City Training and Press Conference(28 of30)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 17: Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini listens to questions from the media during a press conference after a training session ahead of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 match 1st leg against Barcelona at Etihad Stadium on February 17, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester City Training and Press Conference(29 of30)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 17: Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini and midfielder Yaya Toure listen to questions from the media during a press conference after a training session ahead of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 match 1st leg against Barcelona at Etihad Stadium on February 17, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester City Training and Press Conference(30 of30)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 17: Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini and midfielder Yaya Toure answer questions from the media during a press conference after a training session ahead of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 match 1st leg against Barcelona at Etihad Stadium on February 17, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
In pre-season, Pellegrini boasted his Villarreal side qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League in the 2008-09 season at United's expense, when they actually finished second to them in the group stage.