Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini has refused to be drawn on suggestions that he could be sacked at the end of the season as their title defence continues to fizzle out.

The Citizens went down 4-2 to bitter rivals Manchester United this evening in a result that leaves the reigning Premier League champions 12 points behind leaders Chelsea.

Defeat at Old Trafford was their fourth in six league outings, but the Chilean insists that he is focusing only on the final six games in what will be a trophyless season for City.

"My future is not the most important thing about what happened today," he told Sky Sports News.

"I'll continue working. We have to play six more games to try to finish as high as we can and, for me, that's the only thing that's important."

Pellegrini's side took an eighth-minute lead at Old Trafford through Sergio Aguero, but goals from Ashley Young and Marouane Fellaini helped United to a 2-1 half-time lead.

Second-half efforts from Juan Mata and Chris Smalling compounded the visitors' misery, before Aguero grabbed a late consolation to soften the blow.