Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini says his side's season is "not a disaster".
City's Premier League title defence appears to be in ruins after the champions crashed to defeat at Crystal Palace on Monday. The loss left them fourth in the table, trailing leaders Chelsea by nine points and having played a game more.
Since drawing level with Chelsea at the top on New Year’s Day, Pellegrini’s men have won just four of 11 league games.
The pressure is now on ahead of Sunday’s derby trip to rivals Manchester United, who have moved ahead of them into third, but Pellegrini has no intention of playing safe in an attempt to stop the rot.
“I understand we are not having the results we need playing away; 2015 is not a good year for us,” he said. “But before that we were the best team playing away.
“We have lost the last three [away] games, but the last two with two goals in set pieces, against Burnley and Palace.
“We hope we continue keeping the good things we are doing because we are not a disaster, we’re not a mess. We are doing a lot of things well.
“We must improve because we are not having the results we need, but never in my way of thinking are we happy with a draw.”
City have won the past four Manchester derbies and expect to break new ground by making it five. Not only have City never beaten United five times in succession, no team has done it since the formation of the Premier League in 1992/93.
City’s dip in form has led to an increase in speculation over Pellegrini’s future but the 61 year old is showing no sign that the pressure is getting to him, and he maintains that his squad remains a strong and united unit.
“I am not talking about my future because it is not important. I am just thinking about the game against Manchester United,” he said. “I feel everyone supports me at the club, the players. I see the team playing.
“I just said we have to improve because we are not winning, but we are the most attacking team, the team that has most possession of the ball, we don’t concede many goals. I think the players are happy in the way we work and the way we play.
“I don’t see any problems inside the club, but you never know what will happen in August and at the end of the season. If you ask me, I am not afraid because I think that we are in the correct way but a bad moment.”
City captain Vincent Kompany is doubtful for the clash at Old Trafford because of a hamstring problem, but he will have a fitness test before the match.
“It is always better to play with Kompany,” Pelligrini said.
Strikers Wilfried Bony and Stevan Jovetic have been ruled out, and defender Dedryck Boyata is also unavailable because of injuries.
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