'He knows it' - Guardiola sends warning to Man City legend

Legacies count for nothing in the eyes of Guardiola, who insists everyone in his Manchester City squad has to prove themselves.

Sergio Aguero will only win back a spot in the Manchester City line-up based on his current form, and not his past glories, says Pep Guardiola.

Aguero has played a defining role in a historic era at the Etihad since his arrival in 2011. The former Atletico Madrid striker has scored a club-record 256 goals in only 381 appearances, including a title-winning strike against QPR in 2012.

His contributions across the last decade have helped City claim 13 trophies, including four Premier League titles and five EFL Cups.

But injuries this season, along with a bout of COVID-19, have restricted Aguero to 11 appearances across all competitions, including six in the league. In his absence, City have embarked on an incredible 20-match winning run.

They’ve moved 12 points clear at the top of the Premier League, made the EFL Cup final, reached the FA Cup quarter-finals, and hold a 2-0 aggregate lead in their Champions League last-16 tie.

“He knows it. He knew it from day one, the guys who play deserve to play,” Guardiola said on the club’s website over Aguero’s hopes of winning back a regular role in the City line-up.

“From day one all my message is: ‘What we did two hours ago is over.’

“It’s not just for Sergio – it’s for everyone. I try to make fair decisions. Fair for one player is unfair for another one.”

Guardiola added: “Sergio is so important for us. He scored the most important goal in this club’s history.

“We want to help him – he will do it.”

Aguero started in City’s 2-1 win over West Ham United on Saturday and played for an hour before Guardiola replaced him with Gabriel Jesus. It was the Argentine’s first start since October last year.