Manchester City defender Nicolas Otámendi, one of the club's summer recruits in a big switch from Valencia, has refused to be drawn on the belief that they can win the Premier League title this season - at least for now. Snubbing rumoured interest from local rivals Manchester United to join Manuel Pellegrini's side, the Argentinian centre-back is gearing up for his first Manchester Derby, which promises to be an intriguing one for sure.
He's already beginning to notice differences and similarities between the English top flight and La Liga, where he was heralded as one of the League's best defenders over the past eighteen months. Rapid improvement saw his market value increase, and rightly so too - and Los Che simply couldn't manage to keep hold of their prized asset for much longer.
Otámendi already settling into life in England
He admitted despite the fact they've only lost two League games this term, it "just goes to show how demanding" the league actually is, which means each and every side has to be at their "absolute best" - regardless of form and player availability.
The 27-year-old also said that it's about "taking the season game-by-game", to not "set too many targets" than securing three points in each game - which is easier said than done, admittedly. "There are always seven or eight teams that are involved in the battle for winning trophies each year, so it forces you[and your teammates] to try and be 100% in every game.
An important clash for City in terms of points
Arsenal's 2-1 home victory over Everton on Saturday evening meant the Gunners leapfrogged the Citizens, topping the League table for the first time in twenty months. If City manage to beat Louis van Gaal's side at Old Trafford, they'll regain top spot in the division - and push five points clear of their noisy neighbours.
Will Otámendi start? With club captain Vincent Kompany back in contention, there will be a question posed before kick-off, who'll start in the heart of defence? Eliaquim Mangala and Otámendi? Mangala and Kompany?