Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart has claimed that he and his teammates have been fighting against a "killing machine" in the form of Manchester United.

The North West outfit are in danger of losing their grip on the Premier League title due to their rivals' 15-point lead at the top of the table.

Despite having a mountain to climb, Hart has insisted that City will not give up on their title campaign.

"We worked so hard to get the title that we are never going to just give it away," The Express quotes Hart as saying. "I'd imagine from the outside it looks that way but that's just not the case.

"We are working hard. It's a tough league. It's hard to win games. Unfortunately when we do lose, United stretch that lead and it has been disappointing, but we will keep going.

"I don't know what is different to last season. I'd love to know. It would have been rectified. We've done well, but we have been up against a killing machine that has kept turning out results no matter what."

Hart is expected to start for England in their World Cup qualifier against San Marino tomorrow.