You'll never be as big as United! Beckham dismisses small-time City's title challenge

David Beckham has dismissed Manchester City's attempts to become the biggest club in England and revealed he will never return to play in the Barclays Premier League.

The former England captain's American club LA Galaxy host Robert Mancini's City in a friendly in California on Sunday.

In another Galaxy: David Beckham and his LA team-mates will face Manchester City this weekend

And Beckham, 36, has warned City that money will not guarantee them success while hinting that team spirit could prove to be a problem for Mancini.

The former Manchester United star said: 'This game on Sunday is just a small game. I am looking forward more to the MLS All Stars game (v United) against the best team in Manchester next weekend. The best team in England. City have some great players but they are never going to be Man United.

Familiar scenes: David Beckham won six Premier League titles during his stint at Old Trafford

'They may be a threat for seasons to come but United have the silverware over the last 20 years.'

While City are certainly on the up, it hasn't all been sweetness and light for them this summer as the Carlos Tevez transfer saga continues to unsettle them during pre-season.

The Argentine is desperate to leave the club in order to be closer to his two daughters, but just this week saw a dream move to Brazilian outfit Corinthians collapse for financial reasons.

Lads on tour: City are currently enjoying pre-season in the USA

Beckham believes losing the talismanic forward will be a bitter blow to City's title hopes but has little concern about how he will be replaced by the Arab millions at the club's disposal.

'Tevez was a really strong player for them last season, so if they lose him it will be disappointing,' he added. 'But they've got a lot behind them as an organisation, so they can afford to bring world class players in. If they continue to do that I'm sure they'll be strengthened.'

Beckham, whose wife Victoria has just given birth to their fourth child, a daughter named Harper Seven, was booked during LA Galaxy's 1-0 win over Columbus Crew on Wednesday night, inadvertently delivering the assist for Sean Franklin. The win stretched his team's unbeaten streak to 13 games.