Leroy Sane is quickly becoming a fans’ favourite at Man City, and he’s hit the headlines again.

The German winger is in red-hot form for the Blues and in an interview with BBC’s Football Focus, he’s been discussing how he has settled in – and his teasing of Yaya Toure!

The piece will be aired from noon but we’ve been given a short snippet, in which Sane reveals the creator of the Ivorian’s nickname: ‘uncle Yaya’.

“Yes, it is correct!” he laughed. “I think Raheem Sterling started that one off and we do it to annoy him a bit!”

Reflecting on his switch to the Premier League, he declared: “I am happy to have made the move to Manchester City.

“It’s been great fun working with Pep Guardiola because you can learn a huge amount from him and I have already learned a lot.

“Also he’s very ambitious and wants to win all the time and wants to improve every player.”

Ahead of today’s FA Cup clash at Middlesbrough, Sane shared his thoughts on the competition.

“I think all of our players want to win trophies and the FA Cup will be the quickest route,” he continued.

“Of all the three trophies we can win, perhaps the FA Cup is the easiest and that is why I think we have a good chance.”



On the topic of this afternoon’s game, former Blue Adam Clayton has previewed it for Boro’s official website, telling fans he is aiming for a ‘cupset’.

He stated: “We’re a quarter-final so again it’s something to look forward to – one game away from Wembley.

“We’re playing against a team that helped me to where I am today and we’ve obviously been there before and won.

“The FA Cup is one of the best to play in. I’ve played in games where you’re the underdog or favourite and it’s strange – the underdog seems to find something from somewhere.

“It’s a great cup and a one-off match when you can really have a go. We’ll have to have a real good go on our home turf and try to get a win.

“If you win the game it relieves a bit of pressure because you’ve won a football match. The pressure’s still on but that’s what we’re in this game for.”

The Manchester Evening News have been predicting potential City starting XIs.

James Robson suggests: “Pep Guardiola’s recent line ups should provide a clue as to what he’ll do against Middlesbrough.

“Under no circumstances do I expect him to take this FA Cup quarter final lightly - even if Boro are fighting for survival - but I do expect him to rest some big names.

“Key players have been left out in each of Manchester City’s last three games - most recently David Silva, Raheem Sterling and John Stones in the goalless draw with Stoke on Wednesday.

“I can see Leroy Sane being given the day off - and maybe Silva again ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League round of 16 second leg against Monaco.

“I wouldn’t be surprised to see Sergio Aguero rested either - while we can almost guarantee Claudio Bravo will get the nod again in the Cup.”

Simon Bajkowski writes: “Kevin De Bruyne was better against Stoke when he moved out to the right wing and that may be the best way of bringing Raheem Sterling back in without lowering the quality of the team too much.

“Leroy Sane can have a rest, with his mate Sterling filling in on the left wing.

“At the back, it looks easiest to take Kolarov out of the team ahead of matches with Liverpool and Monaco. On the whole though, it seems a better strategy to play a strong team against Middlesbrough and take people off rather than risk defeat.”

Ciaran Kelly agrees: “Pep Guardiola will treat this game like a Premier League fixture so I would expect only a handful of changes from the team that hammered Huddersfield in the previous round.

Aleix Garcia deserves another start in the cup after impressing in that deep-lying role last time out.”

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