Jesus Navas has insisted that Manchester City have no reason to fear Manchester United ahead of their clash with the Premier League champions.

The fierce rivals meet at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday level on points, and Navas believes that is an accurate representation of the two team's abilities and standing in the game.

"There's no inferiority complex here," Navas told reporters: "It doesn't matter what United have done in the past, as things stand today we feel we will go into the game as equals. Look around. We have a fantastic squad of players. We have got enough quality to win this derby and go on to win titles and cups this season.

"City are regarded as a big club, simply because of the quality of the players here. I realise how important derby matches are for the fans. It is too early in the season to start talking about it as being decisive in terms of the title.

"You can't, though, get away from the fact that the results of games such as this have a big influence. The winners will come away full of confidence. It can be a springboard to better things, both for the players and the fans. A derby such as this, when the two teams are so close to each other, is like a six-pointer."

Navas, 27, cost the Citizens £14.9m when he signed from Sevilla this summer.