Andy Cole, who also played for City (2005-06), asserts that the experience and winning mentality will eventually bring Manchester United to lift the trophy at the end of the 2011-12 season.

This was mentioned by Cole through his column in The National, “Manchester United will win the Premier League this season.”

“City appear extraordinary in some games, they even have better players and they are obviously spending more money. But United have a better team spirit and, more importantly, experience,” wrote Cole.

“Joe Hart said that City felt depressed after being held to West Brom on Boxing Day. He’s right. City is now the team to beat and other teams will do anything to steal points from them, even if it means they have to defend  total and only get a draw, “he added.

“Successfully beating the defending champions 6-1 in an away game gives great confidence in the City camp, but the match is probably too early to be a crucial result,” concludes the man who is now 40 years old.