Roberto Mancini claims Manchester City are well placed to win the Premier League, but he admitted United are still the team to beat.
The City boss watched his side return to the top of the Premier League above Manchester United on Sunday as Joleon Lescott's second half strike secured a 1-0 win against Aston Villa at Villa Park.
And Mancini feels his side have now come through a tricky period of games which they have negotiated without the likes of the suspended Mario Balotelli, an absent Carlos Tevez and brothers Kolo and Yaya Toure, who have been at the Africa Cup of Nations with the Ivory Coast.
And, with City set to have all of those players back in the fold and others returning to full fitness following injury problems, the Italian tactician feels they are well on course to clinch the championship trophy.
He told Skysports: "We know December and January were difficult months. We had players injured, suspended or away.
"All these reasons. But now we are in February and we are still on top.
"Next week we will have all the players, which is very important for us. But to stay on top with Manchester United and Tottenham shows we are very strong.
"We've 13 games from now until the end (of the season), and we know if we want to win the league we have to win 11 or 12, if possible."
But, Mancini was also quick to adopt a cautious approach as he admitted that rivals United should still be considered the better team until they achieve their goal of winning the Premier League.
"I think we have to be very strong because United are still better than us," he added.
"United have won everything in the last 10 years. Until we win the title, United are better."