Once again City owner Sheikh Mansour has splashed the cash this summer, investing heavily on Sergio Aguero, Gael Clichy and Stefan Savic, with the prospect of a hefty bid for Samir Nasri likely to be lodged before the Premier League gets under way in 10 days' time.
But Cantona, believes it will become a massive handicap unless City's once famed youth policy is restored to its former glory, and said: "United are the best team. I don't know how City work, maybe they are working on the academy, but they want to spend millions to buy players to build a team."
He continued: "They have been successful because they won the FA Cup but if they only want to do that, they will not be as strong as Manchester United. United work on the long term, with young talent."
Cantona also launched a broadside at Carlos Tevez and Mario Balotelli, who have this summer both criticised the lifestyle in Manchester.
"They don't like the place?" he laughed.
"It depends upon where they come from. If they come from Milan, maybe. Also it depends why they have come.
"I had a great time here and a great time in the city but the most important thing for me was to play for the best club in the world, with the best players in the world.
"I was a professional player. I didn't try to find a city to enjoy it.
"The greatest time you can have is on the pitch."
Source: PA
Source: PA