Manchester United fans should get used to fighting for trophies with bitter rival Manchester City, manager Alex Ferguson said yesterday.

United visits City on Monday holding a three-point advantage at the top of the Premier League, though City’s superior goal difference means a win will move them ahead with two games left.

Ferguson said the investment City’s owners have ploughed into the club makes it more likely that future derbies could also be title deciders.

“We have to get used to playing City in important games,” Ferguson said. “They aren’t going away. The financial support they have means that we are going to be playing them in a lot of big games.”

Ferguson seemed relaxed ahead of the crunch match, despite acknowledging his side’s recent slip-ups had let City back into the race. “I’m a confirmed masochist,” he joked. “I joined about 26 years ago.”

The United manager said City’s recent resurgence meant the derby match had taken on even more significance than the clashes with traditional title rivals Liverpool.

“The importance at this moment in time supersedes the Liverpool games,” Ferguson said. “They are our direct opponents now. Manchester City, without question, are up against us to win titles.”

United and City have already played three times this season - United winning the Charity Shield and an FA Cup fixture, while City claimed a 6-1 win at Old Trafford in the first league game.