Regardless of results later this evening, City will begin the build-up to playing host with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side in Sunday’s Etihad encounter at least 12 points clear at the top of the Premier League table.
Tuesday’s superb 4-1 win over Wolves made it 21 wins in succession for Pep Guardiola’s side with Mahrez in inspirational form once again, providing both a goal and an assist.
But, aside from the battle for silverware, our Algerian winger says that when it comes to Manchester bragging rights, the City squad recognise the significance of Sunday’s fixture to all our supporters.
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“It is a derby and we know it means a lot to the fans,” Mahrez acknowledged.
“We are going to try and enjoy today and then we will start to focus on United.
“It is going to be another tough game, different, but tough as well, so we will see.
“If we win on Sunday it will be good, but we know we are not at that point yet and we have to recover today and try to be ready for then.”
City were at our fluent, free-flowing best for much of Tuesday’s game – but we also had to fight and demonstrate our character and resolve after the visitors levelled affairs just past the hour.
Once more however, when presented with a challenge, Pep Guardiola’s side found a response, scoring three goals inside the final 10 minutes to secure a 21st consecutive victory – and a 28th game unbeaten across all competitions, equalling our Club record.
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And Mahrez believes the way we responded and kept fighting until the very last whistle to overcome Nuno Espirito Santo’s men epitomised the drive and hunger coursing throughout the City squad as we challenge for success on four fronts.
“Sometimes you are a goal down or you are drawing so you have to fight and move to try to create chances to win the game,” the Algerian winger added.
“(Against Wolves), I think we showed a very good attitude, and you could see that everyone wanted to win this game and that is the only way to achieve things.
“They came back in the second half, but we showed a very good response and came back again.
“We were just attacking and attacking until we scored so I think it was a very good game and it shows how resilient we are and how we want to win games.”
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