Sergio Aguero: Manchester derby win crucial to City’s top-four hopes
City have fallen off the pace in the Barclays Premier League title race, having been favourites for much of the season, and are even facing a battle to hold onto fourth.
West Ham are just two points behind in fifth place and United could also move within a point if they beat their neighbours at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Striker Aguero, who has scored 21 goals in all competitions, said: “We have to win, even more so because the title is slipping further and further away and we have to make sure we take fourth place. We want the title, but we have to take into account that United are right behind us and it will be a tough game. We will have to play intensely.”
To pull themselves back into the title race City will not only need to win, but build some serious momentum in their remaining nine matches.
Although they do have a game in hand, City have slipped 12 points behind leaders Leicester.
It is a frustrating situation for a team that were regarded as title favourites for much of the season but, despite an inconsistent campaign, their difficulties do not compare to those of United.
United have endured a tough season with performances and results leaving them on the brink of apparent crisis a number of times.
The future of manager Louis van Gaal has been the subject of recurring speculation.
The status of the two clubs has changed considerably since Aguero joined City in 2011 but, while noting the differences, the Argentinian is paying little attention to what has gone wrong at Old Trafford.
The 27-year-old said: “I think over the last five years City have always competed hard in the derby.
At one point United were huge and City have invested a lot of money to bring in quality players, and that has levelled the playing field.
“But I don’t know what is happening at United. I focus on City and Sunday, and we are thinking about winning and nothing else.”
Aguero, who is contracted at City until 2019, last week told an Argentinian radio station he intends to return to boyhood club Independiente when his current deal ends. The 27-year-old has not denied that but insists he is still fully focused on City.
Aguero, who has scored 128 goals for City since joining the club for £38million in 2011, said: “You are born in one club as a kid, and you always want to return to where you started. I have always said it, I will go back.
“But right now I am thinking about winning the Champions League with Manchester City. We will see what happens in the future.”
Meanwhile City defender Nicolas Otamendi is hopeful of featuring in Sunday’s derby against United.
Otamendi was hurt in a challenge from Vitaliy Buyalskiy in Tuesday’s clash with Kiev and and he seemed to aggravate the problem while attempting to run off the knock.
It compounded a difficult start to the game for City, having already lost captain - and Otamendi’s fellow central defender - Vincent Kompany in the opening minutes.
But while Kompany is expected to be out for at least a month, Otamendi could be back in action by the weekend.
The 28-year-old said: “It’s very similar to a dead leg injury I have had before. I will have a test tomorrow.
“The blow wasn’t that serious but it was better not to continue and come off.
“The test, I hope it shows nothing and am hopeful I can be there on Sunday.
“That is a derby and I will have to be 100% and try to win the Premier League game. It’s a derby, we want to win.”
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