Manchester City defender Eliaquim Mangala has warned his teammates that their derby rivals Manchester United could be in the hunt for the Premier League title.
After a disappointing start to the season, Louis van Gaal has seen his side win six league matches on a trot and that includes victories over Arsenal and Liverpool. They are third in the league table with 31 points from 16 games, trailing second place City by five points and league leaders Chelsea by eight points.
The French international believes City must focus on their games and not divert their attention elsewhere in order to defend their title this campaign.
“It’s all about concentrating on ourselves at the moment, as the season progresses, and winning our own games,” Mangala told Sky Sports.
“But as we come into the busy Christmas period of games on Boxing Day and all over the festive period, with lots of games one after another, things can turn around really quickly.”
“I don’t think it’s just down to two teams – I think a lot of teams can be involved,” said Mangala. “Just a few games ago we were eight or nine points behind Chelsea and we have come right back to be on their heels.
“They are not making a huge amount of noise about it, but certainly United are there in terms of league position and points. They have been winning and are gradually coming back into things.
“And who is to say that Arsenal can’t put a run together and get back in the race for the title as well?
“But we have to focus on getting our own results, and performing well ourselves in order to put pressure on the other teams,” the French centre-back said.
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