De Jong wants 11 wins

Midfielder Nigel de Jong believes Manchester City must win their remaining 11 games to ensure they take out the Premier League title.

The Netherlands international has rubbished suggestions that Roberto Mancini and the players are feeling any pressure from Manchester United, who are only two points behind.

City make the trip to Swansea on Sunday, where only United and Norwich have so far come away with all three points.

De Jong told The Sunday Mirror: “It has come down to the last 11 matches. We have 11 cup finals – and so have United. From now on, every game is a final.”

“We can’t afford any mistakes ­because we know that United are right behind us. Can we feel them? Not really, we just look at the table and see the gap is just two points.”

“United are two points worse off so they also know that any mistake could really hurt their chances. It is brutal. What we must do is concentrate on us rather than them.”

“If we win 11 games then we are the ­champions. People talk about ­pressure. But pressure is only what you put on yourself.”

“United haven’t put us under any extra pressure. They have been right behind us all the way.”

“They have won some good games recently, but we expected that. We are prepared for this fight to go all the way to the very end.”

“United are United. They are not going to give up the title easily, but they must know that they are in for a big battle from us.”

“We aren’t going to go away either. We’re not thinking of the derby at the end of the ­season. What is the point of that? We start with Swansea and we take it from there.”

Meanwhile, David Silva has guaranteed a ‘mad festival’ for his team-mates if City realise their Premier League title ambitions.

The 26-year-old also cited the many characters in the dressing room and said he was delighted at the return of Carlos Tevez.

“There is only one fear in our squad – my promise that I will organise a mad festival if we win the Premier League.”

“We have Sergio (Aguero) and his arrival this season has increased the ‘Spanish’ flavour.

“We also have the ‘king of anecdotes’ in Mario (Balotelli), who is so unpredictable both on the field and the street, and then we have plenty of controversy in Carlos.”

“Actually we all know he is a big player and we are glad to have Carlos back. He really could help us in the decisive final stage of the season.”

The Spaniard has highlighted City’s clash with United as the key game in the title run-in and made it clear that they will be out for revenge.

“The Manchester derby in April will be very important. If we maintain a two-point advantage going into it and increase our lead to five by beating United it will calm us all but we know it will be a very complicated game.”

“United defeated us in the FA Cup after we won 6-1 at Old Trafford, so revenge will be in the air.”