Pep Guardiola insists "it's not necessary" to get on his players' case about pushing for the Premier League title - because they're already doing it amongst themselves.
Manchester City have pulled themselves back to the summit after beating long-time leaders Arsenal 3-1 on away soil on Wednesday. The Gunners still have a game in hand on their rivals and only trail by goal difference, though the balance of power has suddenly shifted favourably in the direction of Guardiola's men.
That is despite a run of indifferent form where City may well have found themselves even further behind after losing to Tottenham, in a campaign where they've as yet failed to piece a solid run together. But even with the title race becoming ever tighter due to the pressure from chasing Manchester United, Guardiola is content his team know exactly what they need to do.
"We have been many years here," he said at a press conference on Friday. "Man Utd arrive lately but when you are in the locker room you see things quickly. It's not necessary sometimes to tell them how we're doing, they know exactly who we are.
"They know they have to do better if they want to compete at the highest level this season. They talk to each other in the canteen and say they need to be better and it's good because in the end they play. They're the artists who work on the pitch, I can't be involved in that."
City make the trip to Nottingham Forest this weekend and kick-off hours after Arsenal play Aston Villa in the Midlands. Victory for City would put added pressure on Mikel Arteta's side regardless of how they fare at Villa Park, while Man Utd will look to at least maintain their five-point gap when they welcome Leicester.
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Guardiola's side have a habit of delivering a strong finish to a season and have been unshakeable in two nail-biting title tussles with Liverpool in years gone by that were both decided by a single point.
City's manager is aware experience will stand his team in good stead and is keen for his players to just ensure they are within touching distance for the final furlong. "Still [there are] 15 games left, a lot of games," he said. "But we want to arrive at the top eight or 10 near the top of the league to make a last effort.
"We are in the position that I would have dreamed at the start of the season, I could not expect to be many points ahead after two titles it's nearly impossible."
Crucial to the outcome of the title race could be the next fixture between the two sides out in front, when Arsenal make the trip to the Etihad on April 26.
