Fernandinho believes Manchester City’s ‘animal-like’ spirit will see them win the Premier League this season.

The Brazilian featured as Pep Guardiola’s men beat Manchester rivals United at Old Trafford 2-0 on Wednesday.

Bernardo Silva and Leroy Sane scored as City took advantage of their game in hand over Liverpool to regain pole position in the race for first.

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And Fernandinho hailed City’s composure in beating Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Red Devils.

“We showed the desire in competing for every ball like animals,” the 33-year-old said. “I think this is the spirit of a team that wants to be champions.

“It was not just Wednesday – in general every game, especially last Saturday, after the ‘defeat’ against Tottenham, in the way we played from the first minute.

“If you look back to January, they (Liverpool) could have been 10 points clear after our game. We didn’t want that.

“We reduced the gap to four points and now we are one point up.

“That is the way the Premier League is going to be decided and I hope we can do our job and win those three games, and be champions again.”

They currently hold a one-point advantage over Jurgen Klopp’s men, but with only three matches remaining.

AS IT HAPPENED: Manchester United v Manchester City

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Liverpool will face Huddersfield on Friday before travelling to Newcastle and hosting Wolves.

Similarly, Guardiola’s side face an imminent match-up against Sean Dyche’s Burnley, before hosting Leicester and travelling to Brighton.

He added: “Burnley are always difficult. They have a specific way to play and it is not easy to go there. They drew with Chelsea last Monday.

“We have to recover as soon as possible and try to be fit and be ready. It is going to be a very important, very difficult game for us.”

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