Pep Guardiola has admitted Sergio Aguero is frustrated at Manchester City and will make the final decision over his own future at the Etihad.
Aguero scored twice as City beat Bournemouth 4-0 on Saturday to claim a 17th straight Premier League victory and maintain a scintillating pace at the top of the table.
However, City’s all-time record goalscorer is believed to be unhappy that he has lost his place to Gabriel Jesus in some key games, and expressed his displeasure by throwing his gloves to the floor when he came off for the Brazilian against Tottenham last week.
Sergio Aguero proved his credentials again for Manchester City as they beat Bournemouth
The Argentine scored the opener as City won for the 17th straight league game on Saturday
It has fuelled talk of a strained relationship with Guardiola, and the City boss insists that he appreciates Aguero’s frustration.
‘I was a player and I understand the players who are subbed, they are sad,’ said Guardiola.
‘I understand the feelings but I respect Sergio, what he has done, and what he will do in the future.
‘He’s a legend. He will decide everything about his life and his future. I’m so happy to have him here.
‘I know the players who normally don’t play are upset, but all the team deserve to play.
Aguero headed home City’s third goal as they eased to a 4-0 home win over Bournemouth
There is uncertainty over the relationship between Aguero and City manager Pep Guardiola
‘Our job is to try to search for something to make us win. I try to have the best relations as possible.
‘We are together and I understand when they are upset, but sometimes I think Jesus deserves to play, too.
‘The important is the respect between each other. They have an amazing relationship between them in the locker room. It’s a dream to go there. That’s the most important thing.’
Raheem Sterling and Danilo scored the other goals against a defensive Bournemouth as City became the first English top-flight team to score a century of league goals in a calendar year since Liverpool in 1982.
Aguero met with City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak in the summer to discuss his concerns
Guardiola paid tribute to his team for raising their game again to complete another convincing win.
He added: ‘Of course, you have doubts after a lot of games in a row if mentally we will be ready, but every time they are ready. That’s what impresses me.
‘In football always you can improve, individually or collectively, so it is not a target to be perfect. It does not exist in the world.
‘The space was almost impossible to find and we were lucky to score the first goal but the second helped us a lot. In the last few minutes they changed the system and we found our tempo, our space and we scored four beautiful goals.’
The 29-year-old has scored 100 goals at the Etihad for City since arriving at the club in 2011