New Manchester City signing Fernandinho has insisted that his side must forget about rivals Manchester United if they are to have a successful season.

City were forced to relinquish their Premier League crown to their neighbours last term, and were defeated in the FA Cup final as well as enduring early exits from the Champions League and Capital One Cup.

The Brazil international believes that Manuel Pellegrini's side must get off to a flying start if they are to pick up silverware this year.

"It is important to start strong," Fernandinho told ESPN. "We need to get as many points as possible in those first few games. It is not a question of thinking about United. We have to think about ourselves.

"It is important before the Champions League starts in mid-September to get as many points as possible because after that we are playing Saturday-midweek all the time and it gets harder."

Along with Fernandinho, City have signed Jesus Navas, Alvaro Negredo and Stevan Jovetic this summer.