Aleksander Kolarov claims Manchester City's been better than Manchester United for 'five, six years' ahead of Manchester derby

Manchester City defender Aleksandar Kolarov has reportedly stoked up the rivalry ahead of Sunday's Manchester derby claiming that his club has been better than Manchester United for the last five or six years.

City head into the Premier League clash after losing at West Ham United while United held leaders Chelsea. Louis Van Gaal's side is currently five places and four points behind third-placed City. But while Serbian defender Kolarov insisted that their rivals had to be treated with respect, he also claimed that there is a growing gap between the two clubs, The Mirror reported.

Kolarov said that it is a great game to watch or play in, adding that he thinks every player in the world would like to play this game. He said that United has a great history but in the last five or six years, City has been superior to them.

The defender said that it would be a great game to play. He also said that City has just started the season so they have plenty of time to put everything in their way.

Kolarov added that it is always difficult to win the Premier League but he thinks with Chelsea, City are the two main teams to win it.

Manuel Pellegrini won City's second Premier League title in three years last season while United finished seventh under David Moyes. City has also won the FA Cup and League Cup since 2011.

United won the last of their three Champions League titles in 2008 and have won two League Cups and three Premier League titles in the same period.

Kolarov added that 'Manchester United are always United'. He said that they are a great club with a great history and if one doesn't respect them a lot they are going to beat them.