Roberto Mancini has no intention of resting until Manchester City rival Manchester United for size.
City are for once in the ascendancy heading into a clash against their neighbours as they prepare for Sunday's eagerly-anticipated derby as the Barclays Premier League leaders. The club have made considerable progress during Mancini's two years in charge and the Italian wants to maintain the current trajectory until City surpass some of Europe's great clubs.
He said: "I think that should be our target. When you have Manchester United, Barcelona, Real Madrid and you work for this, you want to be like them. I don't know in how many years we can do this but we will work for this. We want to become one of the top clubs in Europe."
City are two points ahead of United at the top of the table having won seven and drawn one of their eight games, scoring a remarkable 27 goals in the process.
Yet United are also unbeaten and with their statistics barely a shade worse - the Red Devils have struck 25 times - both sides have the potential to keep the other's goalkeeper busy.
Mancini said: "For all the games - scoring three or four goals - this game could finish 0-0, but I think both teams have very good strikers. We can score and they can score.
"I don't [need to] think about this match. I don't speak about it with the players because they know that it is difficult.
"On Sunday we will meet a strong team, but they know everything about it.
"I don't think they need me to speak to them about Wayne Rooney, Chicharito [Javier Hernandez], Nani.
"I think, for me, it is easy."
Source: PA
