Paul Scholes has no doubt Manchester City are going to be a footballing force - he just does not want them to begin their march next month.
As a nine-time Premier League title winner, Scholes has experienced most events in his illustrious footballing career.
But the 35-year-old will get the taste of something new when City tackle Manchester United in the two-legged Carling Cup semi-final.
It is a tie that will whet the appetite of not only every Manchester-based football fan, but an audience from much further afield given a combination of United's global appeal and the interest City are generating with their Abu Dhabi-backed bit to gatecrash the elite.
Scholes is realistic enough to acknowledge that any club willing to spend £120million in a single transfer window, as the Blues did last summer, is eventually bound to be a success.
But he is eager that United do not play a part in them achieving it.
"These games are certainly something to look forward to," he said.
"Both matches will have great atmospheres and it would be fantastic to get through to the final by beating City.
"There is a bit of a way to go before you think of Manchester City as a main rival in terms of the league and the Champions League.
"But they are definitely going forward and with the players and money at their disposal, I am sure, given time, they will be right up there."
