Raheem Sterling insisted it would be “selfish” of him to talk about his future ahead of Manchester City's Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday.
Premier League leaders City take on La Liga's table-toppers in the first leg of a mouth-watering last-four clash.
Sterling said last year that he would consider leaving the club he joined in a controversial move from Liverpool back in 2015, if he was not playing regularly.
But the 27-year-old has regained his place in the City starting XI and has been a key player in their current campaign that could see them complete a Premier League-Champions League double.
The England forward’s current deal at the Etihad Stadium is due to expire at the end of next season and he was asked at Monday's press conference before the Real game whether there was any update on his future.
“At the minute I'm just happy to be playing, happy to be contributing with the team,” said Sterling, who has scored 14 goals in all competitions this season, including three in Europe.
“I think that's the most important thing. At this period, I think it would be selfish of me to speak of any contract situation and I'm just happy to be playing football and see where we are at the end of the season.
“As a player and forward, to be playing and scoring and making assists, contributing to the team is a massive thing.
“That's where you get your confidence from and at the moment I'm happy to have a part with the team and try to contribute as much as I can.
“I’m playing and contributing a lot more to the team this season. And yeah, I mean a good mood, a good spirit. The football club's in a semi-final for the Champions League we're fighting for a title. There's not much more I can ask for.”
City manager Pep Gaurdiola, meanwhile, said his team need to put all thoughts of the two clubs' histories to the backs of their minds.
Real have won European club football's top trophy a record 13 times while City remain in search of their first Champions League title after losing in the final to Chelsea last year.
“If we have to compete with their history, we don't have a chance. It speaks for itself,” said the former Barcelona manager, when asked about the contrasting records of the two clubs.
Manchester City 5 Watford 1: player ratings
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MANCHESTER CITY RATINGS: Ederson 6 - A fairly straightforward day at the office as he watched his side dominate from afar. Watford rarely threatened, but did stop him getting a cleansheet through Hassane Kamara’s goal. AFP -
Joao Cancelo 7 - Made a number of tackles despite looking like he was playing in 2nd gear for the majority of the game. Frequently looked to get forward to open up space in midfield. AFP -
Ruben Dias 7 - Won duels when required and read the danger quickly, though he wasn’t called upon too much with Pep Guardiola’s side enjoying most of the possession. PA -
Aymeric Laporte 7 - Looked unfazed for most of the game as he comfortably dealt with Watford balls coming into the box. Getty -
Oleksandr Zinchenko 7 - Dealt with everything that came his way with the Ukraine international dominating on the left flank. Helped support City attacks by getting forward. AP -
Rodri 8 - Commanded from the middle of the park and quickly restored City’s two-goal advantage with an excellent goal after Watford had got back into the game. AFP -
Fernandinho 7 - Regularly won the ball back much to the delight of the Etihad Stadium crowd. Maintained intensity despite the scoreline to complete a professional performance from the captain. Getty -
Jack Grealish 6 - Kept things simple and maintained tempo in the midfield, but could have been a bit more expressive with his play. EPA -
Kevin De Bruyne 8 - Pulled the strings from midfield and picked up a couple of assists with excellent deliveries. Watford couldn’t get near him. AFP -
Gabriel Jesus 10 - An unstoppable performance saw the Brazil international complete a hat-trick in just 53 minutes before grabbing a fourth. EPA -
Raheem Sterling 7 - Stretched the Watford line with intelligent movement between defenders to create space for his teammates. AFP -
SUBS: Ilkay Gundogan (De Bruyne 57) 6 - Looked to maintain City’s dominance on the ball from central areas. PA -
Nathan Ake (Laporte 63) 6 - On for Laporte in the 63rd minute as Manchester City looked to play out the game. AFP -
Riyad Mahrez Riyad (Rodri 70) - Pep Guardiola introduced his winger when 5-1 up and making it look like a training match. AFP -
WATFORD RATINGS: Ben Foster 3 - A day to forget for the goalkeeper who simply couldn’t deal with City’s barrage. Conceded a penalty with a foul on Jesus. AFP -
Hassane Kamara 5 - Provided a glimmer of hope to make it 2-1 but it was a matter of minutes before City raised their level and restored their advantage. Getty -
Samir 4 - Samir looked relieved to be getting replaced by Cathcart in the 68th minute, having faced an onslaught over difficult City attacks. AFP -
Christian Kabasele 4 - Couldn’t impose himself on the game as Watford’s defence lacked organisation. A shocking performance. Reuters -
Jeremy Ngakia 4 - Some reasonable deliveries into the box from the flank and worked hard, but all in vain. Reuters -
Tom Cleverley 4 - Looked to try and establish possession but it didn’t happen frequently enough. Watford were completely outplayed in the midfield. Getty -
Imran Louza 4 - No answer against frequent forward runs from City’s midfield. Watford’s midfield had no answer for City’s high tempo play, and no control in the middle. EPA -
Moussa Sissoko 5 - Struggled to impose himself as much as he normally does. City kept the ball fantastically well and that made it extremely difficult for Roy Hodgson’s midfield. AP -
Emmanuel Dennis 6 - Almost got a second assist late on in a tough performance. Looked most likely to make something happen for Watford but only came into the game in spells. AP -
Joshua King 4 - A tough day as King was regularly crowded out by City’s defence. When he tried to stretch the line, Pep Guardiola’s side were quick to close down. A difficult task with no service. Action Images -
Ismaila Sarr 4 - Simply couldn’t get on the ball enough as Watford struggled to maintain any sort of attack. PA -
SUBS: Craig Cathcart (Samir 68) 6 - Introduced for Samir in the 68th minute in a game where the centre-back would probably have preferred to stay on the bench. PA -
Joao Pedro (Sarr 68) 6 - Should have scored when reacting to Emmanuel Dennis’s header late on. AP -
Edo Kayembe (Louza 75) - On for the final 15 minutes. EPA
“We have the desire to compete against them. For us playing against them is an incredible test and we want to do as well as possible.
“It would be the same against Bayern or Barcelona. They are a team many times in this position. In the last decade we were almost never here and now we are, which is good.”
City might have to take on Real without their first-choice right-back Kyle Walker and central-defender John Stones, who are both doubtful with injuries.
Walker has been struggling with an ankle injury picked up against Atletico Madrid in the previous round and Stones is battling with a hamstring strain he gained in the midweek win over Brighton & Hove Albion.
“They are doubts, Kyle didn't train in the last 10 days, John since Brighton. That's why, I don't know if they will train. We see how they feel, [and] tomorrow take a decision,” said Guardiola.
