Manchester United legend Gary Neville says Manchester City's failure this season has nothing to do with Robin van Persie.

Neville says it's City's lack of pace which has found them out.

"The difference for me between City and United this year is that City lack pace," he told the Independent. "They rely on their passing game - and it's a good one with creative players like David Silva, Samir Nasri, Carlos Tevez coming into those pockets off the front. But everything's got to be perfect for it work and they've got to have space - whereas with United there's a bit more. They've got width and they work the wide areas.

"On those occasions when the passing game isn't quite right, City haven't got the Plan B. Roberto Mancini has tried to go to five at the back but that's very rarely worked. He hasn't got many players in wide areas who can beat men. Silva, Tevez and Nasri all like to play in the field, so if you close that central area off they don't really have anyone to stretch you out wide.

"In football terms, when you haven't got real counter-attacking pace that can become a problem."