Roberto Mancini says Manchester City is Premier League's best team

Inter Milan boss Roberto Mancini has found it difficult to disguise his affection for former club Manchester City in the past, and is now tipping Manuel Pellegrini's side as the best in the Premier League.

Mancini exited Eastlands in 2013 after guiding the club to its first league title in 44 years, and picking up an FA Cup medal along the way, and still counts his input as pivotal to the club's successes since.

"Manchester City are the best team so far this season and have a good chance to win the title," the Italian told Qatari website www.sc.qa.

"I am proud that the team, whose core I built, is doing well this year. But the Premier League is such a difficult championship in which you need to work really hard to win each and every game.

"City will face competition from Manchester United and Arsenal as it is now clear that Chelsea will find it difficult to finish in the top four."

Mancini credits himself for breaking United's local dominance in Manchester, and was in the technical area for the comprehensive 6-1 victory at Old Trafford in 2011.

"I helped to change the dynamics of the Manchester derby and it was very difficult to do that," he continued.

"United were a top club for many years and to achieve the status of equality was very tough. We bought a lot of good players who worked very hard and gave the club their first title win in a long time."

The 50-year-old also spoke of his satisfaction with his new signings at Internazionale. His side is second only to Fiorentina in Serie A, who has a better goal difference.

The full squad is back with the Nerazzurri after the international break, and returns to domestic duty with the visit of Frosinone on Sunday.