Cape Town - Marouane Fellaini feels the Premier League is getting stronger each year and that Manchester United are keeping pace with rivals Manchester City.
The Red Devils ended last season in second place behind league winners City, but by a massive 19 points.
This season Jose Mourinho's charges are currently in eighth place on 20 points after 12 games, some 12 points behind leaders City.
City also defeated United 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium before the international break but Fellaini told Sky Sports that he feels the gap between the sides is smaller than it initially appears.
He said: "I remember when I arrived in England it was a top four, now it is a top six, so every year it is more difficult.
“Next season we will see how it changes and in two and three years I think every year it is more difficult, the intensity is higher, so that's why the Premier League is attractive.
“Manchester City are strong, but I think they will lose. Okay, they are very good, and they have good players but it's possible to beat them. We lost, but we have the second game at Old Trafford and we will see.”
He added: “They are very confident, all of them, they play good football, they play attacking football and they have a good dynamic.”