Manchester City transfer news: Leroy Sane laughs off talk of a move to United

The former Schalke 04 winger insists he is enjoying life under Pep Guardiola

Leroy Sané is happy at Manchester City despite losing his regular starting role and laughed off the thought of ever crossing Manchester’s football divide ahead of next Sunday’s derby at the Etihad.

Sané put in one of several outstanding individual performances as Pep Guardiola’s City routed Southampton 6-1 on Sunday.

The winger forced Wesley Hoedt’s own goal to open the scoring then concluded it with a strike of his own in the closing stages.

Despite being named PFA Young Player of the Year last season, Sané has had to patient so far this term, with Guardiola limiting his starting opportunities.

Sunday’s outing was only Sané’s fifth Premier League start of the season, having sat out of City’s win at Tottenham Hotspur last Monday.

The 22-year-old was left out of City’s matchday squad entirely for the visit of Newcastle United in September due to Guardiola’s concerns about his attitude.

Sané’s difficulties to hold down a regular place have led to questions over whether he can be happy with a bit-part role, having made such an impression during last season’s title-winning campaign.

The former Schalke 04 winger insists he is enjoying life under Guardiola though and laughed off the news that some publicity-hungry bookmakers are offering odds on him joining Manchester United.

“That won’t happen! That won’t happen,” he said, when the idea of moving to Old Trafford was put to him. “That won’t happen at all. I am really happy here and I’m on the right side!”

Sané added that he has not been worried by his lack of regular starts, despite being named on the substitutes’ bench for City’s trips to Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham this term.

“I have not been worried at all,” he said. “I know what they want from me and what they expect from me and I will just try to work hard.

Sane is happy at City (REUTERS) (Reuters)

“I always enjoy myself,” Sané added. “To play with these players under this coach is a really good feeling and everyone can see we enjoy it all together, playing with each other.

“It’s fun to play with this team.”

City moved two points clear at the top of the table following Sunday’s win and welcome rivals United to the Etihad this weekend.