Pellegrini has dismissed reports that City will look to sell Yaya Toure in the January transfer window. Toure as performed below his usual standards at times this season and was sent off for an act of petulance in the midweek Champions League loss to CSKA Moscow.

‘He has all my support. He made a mistake in the second half against CSKA but not everything that happens at Manchester City is because of one player,’ Pellegrini told the Metro.

‘Yaya is a very important player. He will continue to [be picked] because that is the best way.

‘Never in my mind or anyone at the club have we thought about selling Yaya. Maybe the stories come from teams that want to see us weaker.’

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