Manchester City are not guaranteed to get the pick of the best young players in the north west despite spending £200 million on a new training complex, Louis van Gaal has warned.

The base, which is connected to the Etihad Stadium by bridge, includes a 7,000-seater stadium, 16 pitches and hotel-standard accommodation for players as well as cutting-edge technology which will aid opposition analysis and rehabilitation from injury.

City’s first-team squad will be based there, as well as the club’s youth sides.

Patrick Vieira, who runs City’s elite development squad, said at the launch that youngsters in Manchester would have an “easy choice” when deciding where their future lies.

United have prided themselves on developing some of the best talent in history, but Van Gaal is not too concerned about what is happening over in east Manchester.

“The building is not so important, the accommodation is not so important, it’s the philosophy and the staff that’s important,” the United manager said at the club’s own training ground.

“Then comes of course the talent.”

United have their own multi-million pound facility at Carrington.

“When I see what I have then I am very happy,” Van Gaal said.

One of United’s most famous youth products, Paul Scholes, wrote in the Independent on Friday that he feared United would lose out to City in the battle for the best prospects in the region.

Van Gaal was not impressed with Scholes’ words, particularly when they came just four days after Gary Neville had compared his former club to a pub team.

“Paul Scholes. Also a legend. He has to pay attention to his words also,” said Van Gaal, who responded with the same barb when he was informed of Neville’s criticisms following the fortuitous 2-1 win over Southampton .

Neville predicted United’s game against Liverpool today – traditionally one of the biggest games in the calendar – would resemble something like “the Dog & Duck against the Red Lion” because of the poor form of both teams.

Van Gaal’s men may be up to third in the table after five straight wins, but ever the perfectionist, the Dutchman is still not happy at trailing leaders Chelsea and second-place City.

“I dream for Manchester City’s place or Chelsea’s place,’’ the Dutchman admitted, frankly.

“(But) now we have to live match for match and that is the most important thing.’’