Manchester City’s David Silva believes that his side are “better” than Manchester United ahead of next week’s derby.

The fierce local rivals are set to do battle at Old Trafford on Tuesday, in a game which could be pivotal in the visitors’ title challenge.

With United some way off of the pace and doubts for a top four finish, City are widely seen as clear favourites despite being the travelling side – talk that has been further fuelled by Liverpool’s demolition job at the Theatre of Dreams last weekend.

Silva says that derby games can be a great leveller, but that his team are superior to David Moyes’ men as it stands and can keep their title challenge on track with a win:

"At the moment we are better but in any derby anything can happen. We have won there in the last two years, and hopefully this will be the third one.” He is quoted by The Express.

"It's a very important game obviously because it's a derby but also for our title hopes. We have to go there to play how we know we can play and try to win."

Even though City are currently thought as favourites to lift the Premier League trophy at the end of the campaign, Silva says that it is important that they stay grounded and focus on each match due to their current situation of having three games in hands on leaders Chelsea:

"Having our destiny in our own hands is a very good situation to be in but it could also work against us.

"In this league, every game is difficult and it's important to keep your focus. It happened to them [Chelsea] and it has happened to us - every game is difficult and anyone can beat anyone. This is why you have to fight all the way to the end in every single match.

"We know if we win all our matches we will be champions but we have to take things match by match.”

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