Pep Guardiola hopes Sergio Aguero will stay at Manchester City “for a long time”

The Argentine was dropped to the bench for City’s Champions League defeat to Barcelona leading to speculation about his future

Pep Guardiola hopes Sergio Aguero will stay at Manchester City.

The Argentine’s future has been the source of much speculation after he started on the bench in the Champions League defeat to Barcelona.

Guardiola went on to state Aguero would only leave City, if he wanted to go of his own accord.

And speaking ahead of Wednesday night’s EFL Cup clash with rivals United, the City boss hailed his talismanic striker.

“I am so happy with Sergio and hopefully he can stay for a long time,” he said.

“I want from deep in my heart he can stay here. He is a a special player, a striker who has scored millions of goals in his career.

“We cannot forget how many goals he scores for us. I am here to help him.”

Kevin De Bruyne will miss the Old Trafford clash, along with Bacary Sagna and Pablo Zabaleta.

And Guardiola confirmed he would rotate his squad, with Willy Caballero starting in goal.

“Some of them will play, first because they deserve and second because it was tough in the last games.

“We play 35 minutes with 10 men against Barcelona and it was a tough game against Southampton. People are tired.

“I need to see the players in the training session and after I am going to decide.”