Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has moved to dismiss reports that out-of-favour winger Riyad Mahrez could leave the club.
Mahrez signed for City in a club-record £60m deal from Leicester last summer but has found opportunities limited in recent weeks, having been an unused substitute in each of City’s last three games.
The 28-year-old has started just 13 Premier League games this season, and is believed to have been left frustrated by his lack of game time during a crucial stage of the season.
City travel to Old Trafford to face rivals United in the Manchester derby on Wednesday night, and ahead of the clash Guardiola insisted that the Algerian remains a part of his plans.
“Riyad will be with us for the next season here and the next one and the next one. I don’t need to speak with him,” Guardiola told his pre-match press conference.
“He is a player for us. We are delighted with him and the way he plays. He is happy, we are here. Everyone knows the competition [for places] we have here.”
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