I hate him, that bastard! – Toure rates Matic as toughest opponent

The 34-year-old insists that the Manchester United midfielder is the most difficult player to play against in England's top-flight

Outgoing veteran Yaya Toure jokingly said he hates Nemanja Matic after he described the midfielder as his toughest opponent.

Toure will depart Premier League champions City at the end of the season, which leaves the 34-year-old midfielder with only two more matches before his farewell.

The international – winner of three Premier League titles – arrived from in 2010 and came up against a host of stars in but none tougher than towering former midfielder Matic.

Toure, who plans to stay in the Premier League next season, said: "I hate him, this bastard!

"He's such a difficult player to play against. Tall and strong as well. It's been fun to play against him, even though it's difficult. He's powerful, he's tall.

"To be able to find an opponent to play against me and stop me... there's few of them, but Matic was one of the close ones who was able to give me problems. He can run. He can fall back. He can track. He can fight. He's a good, good player."

Toure also identified record-breaking forward Sergio Aguero as his favourite City team-mate.

"Everybody knows I have a feeling for Aguero. I love Aguero. This guy is such a good striker. He's complete," he said. "I love David Silva and [captain] Vincent Kompany as well."

Toure added: "I'm going to miss my team-mates, I'm going to miss my little [Raheem] Sterling, my little [Leroy] Sane. They look like my babies."

Pep Guardiola's City host and Hove Albion on Wednesday.