Jose Mourinho says Man United will 'compete' at Man City
That is according to Sky Sports pundit and ex-Arsenal and Celtic star Charlie Nicholas.
Pep Guardiola became Manchester City boss in the summer of 2016 and has won two trophies to date.
He led his team to a record-breaking Premier League title win last season, becoming the first side in the competition’s history to reach 100 points in a campaign.
United, meanwhile, have failed to mount a serious title challenge ever since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.
As long as Man City have Pep then I just do not see Man Utd catching up
Charlie Nicholas on Man City boss Pep Guardiola
Nicholas admits Manchester United have a bar richer history than City and are more highly regarded around the world than their rivals.
But he says on the pitch City will always have the edge when Guardiola is in charge.
“Man Utd are the biggest team in the world financially so Man City have got a lot of catching up to do on that front and also in terms of history they are miles behind and they will not catch that up for some time,” Nicholas said.
“I honestly do not have a timeframe for this and as long as Man City have Pep then I just do not see Man Utd catching up.”
Man Utd news: Charlie Nicholas says Man City will dominate while Pep Guardiola is in charge (Image: GETTY)
Man Utd news: Pep Guardiola led Man City to a record-breaking Premier League title last season (Image: GETTY)
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Man Utd news: Thompson cannot see Pep Guardiola being at Man City for much longer (Image: GETTY)
Nicholas’ colleague and Liverpool legend Phil Thompson cannot see Guardiola staying at City for much longer though.
“This is a huge problem for United, mainly due to the money Manchester City have - it's bottomless,” Thompson said of the gap between the two teams.
“At least at United it's kind of self-financing of what they generate but City have got a country running them.
Man Utd news: Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola go head to head on Sunday (Image: GETTY)
“It's all about cycles though.
“Pep, as he does, may well be moving on in a couple of years for a new project and there might be a new cycle - it always happens.
“You look at United under Fergie but that power has dwindled since he left and they are going to struggle to get it back, so you are talking a good few years for United to try and get that power back, especially if Pep stays a while.”
City and United go head to head this Sunday at the Etihad (4.30pm).