Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini believes his team "are better than Manchester United", despite City losing to their neighbours in the derby last week.

Robin van Persie's injury-time winner gave the Reds a 3-2 victory at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday to move six points clear at the top of the Premier League.

Mancini says it is "not a big problem to recover" the deficit, but feels City "need to be strong" if they are to retain their title.