Sunderland fullback Phil Bardsley says Manchester City have a long way to go to match his former club, Manchester United.

"It's not as easy as just throwing money at it," Bardsley told the Sunday Sun. "Trophies speak for themselves and Man United have won two already this season and they are still in the running for another three. That says it all, doesn't it?

"Man United have got the weight of history on their side and you can't change that overnight - no matter how much money you've got.

"City have brought in Robinho for a lot of money but one player doesn't make a team.

"You have to build a team from the ground up, like Sir Alex Ferguson has done at United.

"It's not about buying a team to challenge for one or two seasons - you have to have foundations so you can challenge over the long haul.

"Sir Alex Ferguson has been at Old Trafford 22 years and he has produced team after team after team. It's not about being a one-season-wonder, you have to be consistent.

"You never know what will happen in the future but City are nowhere near challenging United at the moment."