Manchester City can clinch the Premier League title by winning the Manchester derby on Saturday. And according to Tony Coton, who played for both City and United, it is the just the beginning of a new era in northern metropolis.

The blue half of Manchester have long lived in the shadow of their world-beating neighbours, but the tide has shifted ever so slightly in recent years. Even if Pep Guardiola's side lose at the Etihad this weekend, they will clinch their fifth title this season, and their second since the last time United hoisted the domestic crown.

And Coton, who also spent ten years as United goalkeeper coach, insists City's astute decisions have helped them lay the foundation for perennial success, leaving United trailing in the process.

"I think City will dominate for many, many years because on and off the field, they are getting it right," Coton told Tribalfootball.

"The recruitment part is good, the policies, the infrastructure is there, the training ground is magnificent. I just feel that at the moment they have brought more people into the club that believe in the history of the club, where as certain people brought into roles at United [aren't the same] and it isn't a good feel at the moment.

"Comparing the two clubs from when I was there to now, oh my God its a billion, trillion miles apart from when I was there.

"The football they play is magnificent. They have got the best manager in the world and he's shown he'll throw in youth, which is great for his recruitment people.

"He has thrown in Phil Foden and [Brahim] Diaz, which is magnificent when you're spending all this money but still throwing in homegrown players.

"It's important that they have an identity with the people of Manchester by playing these homegrown lads. Phil Foden ticks all the boxes there. That's great, but you ask any fan and they want winning football, entertaining football and they want success. They're getting that in abundance.

"For City fans, long may it continue. For United, they've got to pull their socks up because they're getting left behind."