"I don't know how City work. Maybe they are working on the academy.
"But today they want to spend millions to buy players to build a team.
"They have been successful because they won the FA Cup but if they only want to do that, they will not be as strong as Manchester United.
"United work on the long term, with young talent."
The 45-year-old is in Manchester to take charge of New York Cosmos for Friday's game, which sees them take on the Red Devils as a part of Paul
Scholes'
testimonial.
Cantona also took a swipe at City's forwards,
Carlos
Tevez
and Mario Balotelli, who have both complained about living in Manchester in the past.
"They don't like the place?" he laughed.
"It depends upon where they come from. If they come from Milan, maybe. Also it depends why they have come.
"I had a great time here and a great time in the city but the most important thing for me was to play for the best club in the world, with the best players in the world.
"I was a professional player. I didn't try to find a city to enjoy it. The greatest time you can have is on the pitch."