Manuel Pellegrini plays down importance of Manchester derby

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has played down the significance of this Sunday's derby against Manchester United.

The blue half of the city have claimed just 18 points from a possible 36 in the Premier League in 2015, and they are currently one point behind United in fourth place.

"Football has so many different things that can happen, but in my mind for my whole career is to try and win the next game you play," Pellegrini told reporters. "All the other things I don't think are very important.

"It's a very important game. It's a derby and we're very near in the table, but I don't think that the team that wins can think the season's finished. You have six games more to play and win."

City are nine points behind leaders Chelsea.