Sergio Aguero has admitted that Manchester City face a real tussle with bitter rivals Manchester United over a top-four spot in the Premier League.

The Citizens' poor run of form in the top flight, which has seen them take a total of four points from the last 15 on offer, leaves the club looking over their shoulder.

However, boosted by progression into the quarter-finals of the Champions League this week, Aguero insists that City will be fully focused on seeing off their rivals in Sunday's key derby meeting.

"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," he is quoted as saying by The Mirror.

"We want the title, but we have to take into account that United are right behind us. It will be a tough game and we'll have to play intensely. I think that over the last five years City have always competed hard in the derby, but at one point United were huge and City have invested a lot of money to bring in quality players.

"That's levelled the playing field. I don't know what's happening at United. I focus on City and Sunday. We're thinking about winning and nothing else."

Despite their recent wobble, City head into the match sitting four points ahead of their near neighbours.