Yaya Toure's agent furious at Manchester City's criticism of the player

Yaya Toure’s agent defends him

Yaya Toure’s agent Dimitri Seluk criticised Manchester City chief executive Ferran Soriano and director of football Txiki Begiristain over their comments on Toure. He also called Manuel Pellegrini a “weak manager”. City who were initially title contenders were seen questioning Toure’s form after finding themselves battling for a top four finish.

Seluk believes the City are making Toure the scapegoat for the problems the club is facing, while they are actually facing bigger problems behind the scenes.

He told the Sunday Mirror: "Some people at City are trying to blame Yaya for what has happened this season. But those people aren't taking responsibility for their own mistakes.

"I am talking about executives who have bought players for a lot of money and then put those players on the bench. Executives who spend a lot of money on Stevan Jovetic and then drop him from the Champions League squad.

"I feel sorry for Pellegrini. He's a good coach, but a weak manager. He won the title with the team left behind by [predecessor] Roberto Mancini."

Toure has been linked with a move away from the Etihad since last summer, but Mancini has made it clear that he intends to bring the player to Inter Milan this year.

"If City want Yaya to leave, they should come out and say so," Seluk added. "Two of the biggest clubs have already asked me if he is available, and I know that if City would sell, another 10 would call me inside 24 hours."

Although Manchester City are seven points ahead of fifth-placed Liverpool in the league, they have to make sure they don’t lose any more points as Liverpool have an extra game in hand.