Manchester United remain the Premier League’s most successful club with 20 top flight titles but they have not won the league since the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.
Manchester City have won three top flight crowns in that period and have finished above Manchester United on the league table for six straight seasons.
Manchester United are already eleven points behind third placed Manchester City after 15 matchdays going into the 179th Manchester Derby at the Etihad Stadium later on Saturday.
Asked before Saturday's game whether he still regarded United as being bigger, Solskjaer said: "Yes."
Following Manchester City’s relegation from the Premier League in 1996, it took Solskjaer five years before getting his first taste of the Manchester Derby as a player in April 2001.
"At least we play every year now! It took many years before I played a Manchester derby myself," Solskjaer added.
"But it's changed in a way. Of course Man City are a better team now than when I was playing.
"I think football has changed quite a lot. I think it allowed a few more proper tackles - with every little angle, everything being scrutinised now, it's more of a technical, tactical game than physical and mental one.
"But, still, a derby should be played as a derby. We don't play basketball, so we're ready for that if that happens."
