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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has ruled out Sergio Agüero in Saturday’s derby against United despite his goal-scorer return to action in the Champions League.
Agüero came off the bench to score City’s second goal when they concluded their Group C program with a comfortable 3-0 win over Marseille.
It was only the Argentine’s fifth appearance of the season after struggling with his knee and hamstrings.
Guardiola has said he will take no chances with the 32-year-old and will not be tempted to pitch him early on at Old Trafford.
When asked if Agüero could start the derby, Guardiola simply said: ‘No.’
On his overall performance, he added: ‘His instinct to score will always be there. He has had three or four training sessions and the reaction was good.
‘He had 25 minutes and scored a goal. Step by Step. Tomorrow you will see the reaction. ‘
Aguero took to Twitter after the match and wrote: ‘Happy to be back, happy for the win. My knee feels better and I am slowly recovering.
My thanks to the physiotherapists, the medical and technical staff, my colleagues and the fans for all their support ”.
City had already qualified for the round of 16 and victory saw them complete the group stage with 16 points, the best in the club.
Ferran Torres opened the scoring early in the second half before Agüero entered the fray in the 67th minute and scored in 10 minutes with a tap-in from close range.
City added a third goal, their 1,000th since moving to the Etihad Stadium in 2003, after a last minute defensive confusion. Raheem Sterling initially claimed it, but the finishing touch was eventually recorded as an own goal by defender Alvaro.
Guardiola said: ‘I am very happy with the way we play in all the games, without exception. We scored goals, we conceded few. In general we were good in all the games.
‘It’s the next round now and we see incredible teams, so it’s an interesting draw. Hopefully we arrive in good shape, with good humor and we’ll see ”.
Guardiola, who made nine changes for the game, said he did not yet know his team for the derby.
He said: ‘Now is the time to celebrate and tomorrow I’m going to think about the Premier League and the derby. We have two days to think about it. ‘
Guardiola added that midfielder Ilkay Gundogan will be evaluated after being withdrawn at halftime for a blow to the ankle.
Source: m.allfootballapp.com
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