City have been spending big in a bid to catch up with their fierce city rivals.
Beckham said: “They are never going to be Manchester United.”
“Players have been bought and that does a lot for the club and for the team. But United have that history and it’s not all about paying fortunes for players.
“It’s important the players get along with each other – that makes team spirit. As much as they have got the money to bring players in, sometimes that doesn’t work.
“If they continue they will be a threat but there are no guarantees. I don’t know. I haven’t been around their team and their squad and I wouldn’t want to be around Man City. But if they continue to bring players in, then who knows?
“You saw it with Chelsea when Roman [Abramovich] arrived. They won two leagues and they won them on the trot. It works sometimes but hopefully it won’t work at City.”
