Media round-up: Thursday, 20th October

Nigel de Jong has told the Manchester Evening News that City are going to Old Trafford as number one, and intend to stay there. “Everyone believes we can go there and win,” said de Jong,  who is set to shake off the hip knock which forced him out of Tuesday’s win over Villarreal. “We’re going there as number one and the aim is to stay number one. We feel we can do that but United will be confident as well, and they’re playing at home, so it's a massive game for both of us.”

Meanwhile, on the other side of the city Nani is relying on Manchester United's home record to see them to victory in Sunday's derby. "City have a fantastic team at the moment with fantastic players. They are playing a lot of good stuff and it will be difficult to play against them. But we should not forget; we are United. When we play at home it is very hard to beat us. That is why we are so confident", he shamoned.

Sergio Aguero has denied mocking Villareal's players in the tunnel following his last minute winner on Tuesday night, after Villarreal vice-president Jose Manuel Llaneza labelled Aguero disrespectful. “What he did doesn’t say much for him,” he said. “It seems to me a lack of respect, ethics and comradeship." Aguero tweeted in response: “I have no interest in getting involved in controversies, but I have to deny having mocked a Villarreal player.”

City and Tottenham have joined the race for Brighton’s £5m-rated defender Lewis Dunk, according to The Daily Star. City sent scout Kevin Hunt to Millwall on Tuesday night to make a personal check on Dunk in Brighton’s 1-1 draw, but Gus Poyet has warned that it will take a big-money bid to tempt him to sell one of his prized assets.