Sergio Aguero's snub in Manchester United defeat leaves Graeme Souness mystified

Graeme Souness has admitted he ‘wouldn’t be a happy bunny’ if he was snubbed like Sergio Aguero was during Manchester City’s derby defeat against United on the weekend.

Aguero’s future at the Etihad is far from certain having only featured 11 times in all competitions this season due to injury and Covid – with his contract also expiring in the summer.

Due to City’s scintillating form of late, Aguero has watched on largely from the sidelines after returning to fitness – and has been an unused substitute in the games against Wolves and United, while he was overlooked for a starting spot against Southampton on Wednesday night.

And Souness has since claimed that if he was Aguero, he would be banging on Pep Guardiola’s door asking for questions after being left out altogether against United, with Guardiola opting to bring on Kyle Walker and Phil Foden instead with City chasing the game. 

Souness told Sky Sports ahead of City’s game against Southampton: ‘I thought without Aguero they would find it difficult in the tighter games but when you look at John Stones, he is stepping in with goals. They are sharing goals around in midfield. 

‘But you are talking about a completely different level with Aguero, he is the ultimate fox in the box. 

‘Slightly mystified. I am not sure what relationship the manager and the player has, I have no knowledge of anything but I look at the weekend for example. 

‘You are 2-0 down at home, you bring on a right back instead of him, the club’s top scorer. Then 10 minutes later you bring on a 20-year-old in Foden instead of the top scorer in the football club. 

‘I mean what is there not to like about him. I mean maybe he doesn’t do enough of the hard yards, I think when Pep arrived at the football club, that was something he had to persuade him to do, and I think he did that.’

The former Liverpool midfielder then added: ‘He has got to be knocking on the manager’s door. 

‘Forget everything else, the weekend he has got to be knocking on the manager’s door. I am not sure if there is any relationship between them but I know if I was Aguero, I would not be a happy bunny.’

Aguero’s future beyond this season is currently unclear following a lack of game time and his imminent contract expiration at the Etihad.

And Guardiola didn’t make anything clearer when he admitted that negotiations over a new deal for Aguero – who hasn’t scored in the Premier League – would have to wait until the summer. 

‘We are going to talk to him (Aguero) as a human being, as a person and, of course, as a player,’ Guardiola said. ‘We will have to see what happens at the end of the season.

‘I think the club has spoken with his agent and they know the situation.’

But with City not making their move to tie Aguero down, he could be on his way out with Barcelona interested.

The newly-elected Barcelona president – Joan Laporta – has earmarked Aguero as a potential statement signing this summer.

The Catalans have been affected by the financial ramifications of the coronavirus – they are £1billion in debt – and would be interested in signing the 32-year-old for free if he fails to agree new terms with City.

Barca view the Argentina international as the ideal candidate for fixing the flaws in their squad and believe his relationship with compatriot Lionel Messi could swing the six-time Ballon d’Or winner’s own decision regarding his future with the LaLiga giants.

If Aguero was to depart the Etihad, he would leave as the club’s all-time top scorer with a remarkable 256 goals to his name in 381 appearances.

The 32-year-old has enjoyed an illustrious career with City, winning four Premier League titles so far, five League Cups and one FA Cup.