Mourinho: We'll find it difficult to compete

And in a sombre warning to United supporters and the club's board, Mourinho said that only with "patience and calm and time" will they stand a chance of hauling back their rivals and insisted United's activity in the transfer market next year will not bring about "a dramatic change and improvement" in his team.

United, in second, currently trail City by 15 points but Mourinho is concerned they could struggle to keep pace with Pep Guardiola's side beyond this season, because he feels they can't compete financially with their neighbours.

"The last years the market is going in such a direction, or you belong to one of these clubs where there is no limit and you buy what you want," the United manager said. "There is no limit, no Financial Fair Play, there is nothing. You do what you want and it's hard, it's hard (for the rest). I think my boys are doing what they can."

Asked if it would be possible to compete with City as a result, Mourinho added: "I don't want to take any credit away from what they (City) are doing, players and staff and club overall, not at all, but it's difficult (to compete). Is it possible? Yes, it's possible.

"Sometimes if you don't have that financial... I don't say potential because I think potentially we have (it) as a club - but not that profile of club where there are no limits, and the only thing that matters is to get the best, there is only one way (to compete), which is patience and calm and time.

"I think next season we are going to get two or three more players and also lose two or three. It's not going to happen that there is a dramatic change and a dramatic improvement but with time, step by step, we have to do it."