Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Ince believes that Manchester City have the "upper hand" on Sir Alex Ferguson's side.

The fierce rivals currently have five points between them at the top of the Premier League table, with City leading the way.

"I hate to say it but Manchester City [are stronger] at the moment," Ince told talkSPORT. "At the start of the season, Man United were in scintillating form, really playing some good stuff.

"They seem to have lost their way a little bit but Man City seem to have stepped up a gear. I watched them play against Villarreal, which is never an easy place to go to, and they absolutely ripped hem apart.

"You compare that to Manchester United struggling [against Otelul Galati] and Manchester City have definitely got the upper hand at the moment."

The first meeting between the two sides in the Premier League this season resulted in a 6-1 victory for Roberto Mancini's men.