Manchester United manager Ferguson used the disparaging comment first in September 2009 following Michael Owen's dramatic injury-time winner at Old Trafford.
Since then though, City have ended their 35-year trophy drought, beating Manchester United in the semi-final before overcoming Stoke in the FA Cup final.
They have also secured a place alongside the Red Devils in this season's Champions League group phase and appear set to break their club record to sign Sergio Aguero from Atletico Madrid.
Ferguson accepts the Blues' ascent makes them more formidable opposition, which is why he wants the volume turned down at Wembley on August 7.
"It is addressing our noisy neighbours again," said Ferguson of the City encounter, admitting he will need to make changes to his side's preparations, presumably starting with the encounter against the MLS All-Stars.
"Last year I mucked up by giving the players too many half games in pre-season and not enough 90 minutes.
"I will address that this year because when we played Fulham and Everton we were well short fitness wise."
United drew both those games which, at the time, appeared to be very costly.
As it was, their rivals all fell away, with Chelsea unable to claw back the deficit once they managed to find form after an atrocious couple of months.
Ferguson knows where the challenges are coming from this season.
He just believes the answer lies within.
"Anyone can win the league; ourselves, Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal or Chelsea," he said.
"But when I look at it, our biggest challenge is ourselves."
Source: Team Talk
Source: Team Talk