Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini insists he wasn't being controversial dubbing them the best team in the city.
City go to Manchester United tonight clear derby favourites.
"It was easy because I meant in this season, the best team is Manchester City because we were top of the table," said Pellegrini.
"But at the same moment I said we must recognise what Manchester United have done in the last 20 years.
"Of course all the other clubs expected United would be in the top positions in the table (this season), but for different reasons at this time they are not. But they continue to be a difficult team.
"It is difficult because for so many years the same person managed a team with his ideas.
"It is difficult to analyse without knowing it from the inside - but it was always going to be difficult to replace (Sir) Alex Ferguson."
