MANCHESTER -- Manuel Pellegrini said his Manchester City players had not lost focus since he announced he would be leaving at the end of the season.
City were beaten 1-0 by Manchester United in the derby at the Etihad to leave them just a point above both their neighbours and West Ham United in the fourth Champions League spot.
Pellegrini's side have won just two Premier League games -- against teams in the bottom three -- since he revealed on Feb. 1 that he would leave to be replaced by Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola.
But he told a news conference: "I don't think I have lost any control. The attitude of the team today reflects that they are all involved in what we want to.
"It is not the best way to finish the season, and maybe one thing is linked with the other one. But I am happy with the attitude of all the players. They are focused and want to finish the season as high as possible."
The Chilean felt his side should have beaten United after having 26 shots to just five for the visitors, but Marcus Rashford's 16th-minute strike proved the difference.
City have won just one game against sides from the top nine of the Premier League all season and only remained in the top four after West Ham were held to a draw at Chelsea on Saturday.
Pellegrini added: "We continue in the fourth position and we have to play for another 24 points. It is important to be focused on the next game.
"I am not happy with the performance of the team. I don't think we deserved to lose. We had 26 attempts on their goal.
"We dominated the game, and we missed clear chances to score. It is important to continue with the same spirit.
"Every game is different. I don't think United played better than our team." City suffered a further blow with injuries to midfielder Raheem Sterling and keeper Joe Hart.
Sterling limped off with a groin strain while Hart was carried off on a stretcher after injuring his calf, and both will miss England's friendly in Germany on Mar. 26.