The Red Devils boss has downplayed the importance of the upcoming derby and urged detractors to look at his squad's progress since last season
Jose Mourinho insists Manchester United deserve to finish at least second in the Premier League and claims critics have been too quick to praise their rivals further down the table.
United's 2-0 win over Swansea City on Saturday moved them back into second in the table, two points above third-place Liverpool, who have played a game more.
Runaway leaders Manchester City will win the title if they beat United in the derby next weekend, but finishing in at least the top two for the first time since Alex Ferguson retired in 2013 remains in the Red Devils' hands.
And Mourinho says their league position proves they have been better than the likes of Liverpool, Tottenham and Chelsea behind them.
Asked about the derby at the Etihad Stadium next Saturday, he told a news conference: "Manchester City is not important for me. What is important for me is, since the moment we left first position and went to second, we stayed there for the whole of the season. We deserve to finish second, despite what you say, the criticisms you want to make.