Sergio Aguero will miss Manchester City’s game against rivals Manchester United, while Manuel Pellegrini has shrugged off stories linking the striker with Barcelona.
#INSERT
type:image
caption:Sergio Aguero has scored 26 goals this season.
END#
• Mooney: Looking to the future
Aguero, who is also a major doubt for the game against Arsenal as well as next Tuesday’s Manchester derby, is happy at City according to Pellegrini.
Aguero suffered a hamstring injury during City’s 2-1 defeat in the Nou Camp, and has been linked with Barcelona in the Spanish press.
But Pellegrini, who has endured a season of speculation as the former Atletico Madrid forward has been a rumoured target of Real Madrid, is tired of repeating that he expects Aguero to stay at City.
When asked about the Argentina international’s future he told a news conference his answer was: “Exactly the same what I respond to all the other links during the whole year.
“We cannot talk every week about players that are [supposedly] coming here to Manchester City and the players that are going out. I think Aguero is a Manchester City player, he is very happy here and the club is very happy with him.”
City have been linked with Liverpool striker Luis Suarez and Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes but manager Pellegrini refused to discuss either. “Same answer,” he replied.
Aguero is set to resume training next week but the 25-year-old, who scored the winner at Old Trafford last season, will not return in time to face Manchester United.
“No chance for United,” said Pellegrini. “Maybe next week he will start working with the squad but I think maybe he will start training with the whole squad at the end of the week.”
Asked specifically about the Arsenal game, he replied: “I am not sure.”
Aguero, who has been sidelined by calf and hamstring problems this season, will definitely miss Saturday’s game against Fulham.