Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has challenged Raheem Sterling to improve following his performance during this afternoon's derby against Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium.

Sterling has been one of the Premier League's standout players so far this season with six goals and five assists to his name, but Guardiola was visibly unhappy with him at full time of today's derby and argued with the winger on the field despite the win.

Guardiola revealed after the game that he was angry about a series of step-overs from Sterling towards the end of the match when City were winding down the clock.

"I like a lot when he played [but] the best way to defend a result is to keep the ball. He made some movements with the legs, we can avoid it but he is young, he can improve," Guardiola told reporters.

"We spoke at half time that we could play better and we were much better with the goal [from Aguero] after five minutes of the half.

"It was difficult, they defended so deep and they are aggressive, they follow man to man. But after 2-1, we react well, we don't concede chances and step by step we regain our game."

David Silva, Sergio Aguero and Ilkay Gundogan were on the scoresheet for Manchester City as they regained top spot in the Premier League table.