Manchester United vs Manchester City: Manuel Pellegrini insists season has 'not been a disaster' amid concerns over his future

City have slipped from second to fourth having been eliminated from all three cup competitions this season

Manuel Pellegrini reacts during the 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace (Getty Images)

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has insisted his side's season is "not a disaster".

City's Barclays Premier League title defence appears to be in ruins after the champions crashed to yet another defeat at Crystal Palace on Monday.

The loss left them fourth in the table, trailing leaders Chelsea by nine points and having played a game more.

Since drawing level with the Londoners at the top on New Year's Day, Pellegrini's men have won just four of their 11 league games.

The pressure is now on ahead of Sunday's derby trip to rivals Manchester United - who have nipped ahead of them into third - but Pellegrini has no intention of playing safe in an attempt to stop the rot.

The Chilean, speaking at his pre-match press conference, said: "Never is to draw a good result. I understand we are not having the results that we need playing away - 2015 is not a good year for us - but before that we were the best team playing away.

"We have lost the last three (away) games, but the last two with two goals in set-pieces, against Burnley and Palace.

"We hope we continue keeping the good things we are doing because we are not a disaster, we're not a mess. We are doing a lot of things well.

"We must improve because we are not having the results we need but never in my way of thinking are we happy with a draw."

City have won the last four Manchester derby clashes and could break new ground by winning the next this weekend.

City have never won five derbies in succession before and nor has any side in Premier League history beaten United on five consecutive occasions.

That could provide extra motivation for City and Pellegrini feels the club are still feeding off former United boss Sir Alex Ferguson's "noisy neighbours" jibe of several years ago.

City suffered a 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace on Monday (Getty)

Pellegrini said: "I think the first motivation is always to win. After that motivation is (comes from) against whom you are going to (try to) win, being a derby against a strong team like Manchester United.

"They dominated the league for so many years but one time Sir Alex Ferguson said the neighbours are disturbing them a little bit more - so I say that's double motivation for us."

City's form has led to an increase in speculation over Pellegrini's future but the 61-year-old is showing no sign that the pressure is getting to him and maintains that his squad remains a strong and united unit.

The former Real Madrid boss said: "I am not talking about my future because it is not important. I am just thinking about the game against Manchester United.

"I feel everyone supports me at the club, the players. I see the team playing.

"I just said we have to improve because we are not winning, but we are the most attacking team, the team that has most possession of the ball, we don't concede many goals. I think the players are happy in the way we work and the way we play.

"I don't see any problems inside the club but you never know what will happen in August and at the end of the season.

"If you ask me, I am not afraid because I think we are in the correct way but (just) a bad moment."

Kompany is a doubt for City (Getty Images)

City captain Vincent Kompany is doubtful for the clash at Old Trafford after feeling his hamstring tightening at Selhurst Park.

Pellegrini is hopeful the influential defender will pull through but he will undergo a fitness test.

Pellegrini said: "We will see tomorrow if he can play or not. It is always better to play with Kompany but if, for different reasons, he cannot play not we have a squad and he must be replaced."

Strikers Wilfried Bony and Stevan Jovetic have been ruled out and defender Dedryck Boyata is also unavailable because of injuries.