Sergio Aguro is hoping he can break that 556 minute goal famine in the Manchester derby and help stop City’s calamitous freefall.
The City hotshot smashed 19 goals in 20 games in the first half of the season, but has not scored for six matches ahead of the derby clash.
Level on points with Chelsea on New Year’s Day, Manuel Pellegrini’s side now trail Jose Mourinho’s men by nine points, proof of their remarkable collapse since the turn of the year.
Despite that dramatic drop, The Argentinian still retains hope City can pull off a remarkable title win to hold on to their crown, and is confident he can end his long wait for a goal.
Aguero, whose last goal for City was in a 2-1 home defeat to Barcelona on February 24, said: a I always love to score, but of course it’s even more special to score in the big games.
a If you score against United at Old Trafford it almost gives you shivers, because you can feel the tense atmosphere with most of the stadium being really quiet, but the away end going crazy.”
a At home it’s different. When the City supporters are really loud in these games, it sometimes gives me goose bumps when they sing my name.a
Aguero believes United, who have have gone above City in third place by winning their last five Premier League games, remains a work in progress under Louis van Gaal.
The City striker said it was difficult to tell which United will turn up at Old Trafford on Sunday, aiming to end a run of four straight derby defeats.
a They are a team with a lot of great individual players, who can form an incredible unit when they work well together,a said Aguero.
a But this season that hasn’t always been the case. Some matches they dona t seem to play at the maximum, with the attacking qualities they have in the team.”
a But then in other games they’ve really shown those qualities, so they’re a bit unpredictable. We know we’ll have to be at our very best to beat them.a
On City’s faltering title defence, Aguero said: a Of course we can still win it. In football, anything can happen. As soon as you think something is certain, then everything changes.
“We’ve seen it so many times before and wea ll see it again. We only focus on ourselves, try to win every game we play, and keep pressure on Chelsea.a .