United are a machine, declares Cabaye

Newcastle midfielder Yohan Cabaye believes Manchester United have managed to maintain an excellent level of performance by successfully rotating their players.

The Frenchman was asked to compare the top two sides of the Premier League ahead of Newcastle's visit of Manchester City on Saturday night. Cabaye stated his view that both sides have done really well this term although the Red Devils have deservedly marched past their rivals due to an admirable team ethic and effective use of squad rotation.

United have seen as many as 17 different scorers this season while City have often struggled to come up with goals with the absence of star striker Sergio Aguero having cruelly affected their title chances recently.

Cabaye explained to the Sun: "United are a machine. Sir Alex is doing a fantastic job for the club. Even when the players change, he knows which player is going to be good for his team."

Furthermore, the France international repeated the oft-mentioned saying about City being a "team if individuals".

He added: "City have fantastic players but, unfortunately for them, they don't think and play as a team - it's not the same as United. So maybe that's the difference."

"City are still a fantastic team. But they are a team of individuals."

Last season, City managed to cover an eight-point gap and win the title on goal difference on the final day of the season but Cabaye does not feel that the 15 points separating the two sides can be bridged anytime soon.

"The 15 points is a big difference and it's going to be more difficult than last season when they had eight points.

"I think it's impossible because if United win three games, they win the title. It's going to be hard for them."

However, he does have a tremendous amount of respect for City talisman Yaya Toure and considers him to be the best midfielder in England.

"Every time, it's the best feeling for me when we play against the best players in the world. On Wednesday, it was Spain [while playing for France] and on Saturday, it's going to be Yaya Toure.

"He is the best in the Premier League. Toure is the best because he can defend, he can score, he can play up offensively and defensively.

"He's the complete midfielder and he deserves to be where he is.

"Kun Aguero, David Silva, Carlos Tevez and many more are all fantastic players. I don't want to say they are less good than Yaya but when Yaya misses a game - like at Everton - they lose.

"[If he left] he would be a big loss."