Exclusive – Lose to Man United and Pellegrini has ‘major problems’, insists Burley

Craig Burley insists Manchester City cannot afford to lose this weekend’s big derby clash as defeat will leave Manuel Pellegrini with "major problems."

The pressure is beginning to mount on the Chilean, even though his side sits third in the Premier League table and are not yet out of contention in their Champions League group.

But with Manchester United visiting the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, the former Chelsea midfield star insists all the pressure will be on the home side.

“The perception of the fixture has changed [in the last couple of weeks] and it’s now a bigger game for City and Pellegrini because questions are starting to be asked,” he told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast.

“If the derby goes wrong and the Champions League game [at home to CSKA Moscow] next week goes wrong they are in a pretty horrible position bearing in mind Chelsea play QPR at home at the weekend, which on paper should be three points. So the pressure is on Pellegrini.

“City will be under pressure. If [Louis] Van Gaal delivers a victory at the weekend then Pellegrini has got major problems.”

You can listen to live and exclusive national radio commnetary of Manchester City v Manchester United only on talkSPORT on Sunday from 1.30pm