Paul Scholes has questioned Manchester City’s potential to mount a title challenge this season, wondering whether Roberto Mancini has the ability to bring the team of individuals together.

Only Chelsea have spent more cash than City on players in the Premiership years, although as yet, two years on, they have nothing to show for it.

Scholes enjoys the rivalry with the blues but would be happier if they were down in the doldrums like they were before the money.

“The last thing we want is City above us,” said Scholes. “It’s not happened since I’ve been here and we’ll just have to see what happens there. They’ve bought so many players but whether they can gel together remains to be seen. It’s great for the city to have two top teams, but I’d rather them be down in the Second Division, like they were ten years ago.”

Whilst we did enjoy taking the piss out of them, any red will admit they missed derby day.