Pep: I never complained over failure to sign Kane

Pep Guardiola says he did not complain after Manchester City missed out on signing Harry Kane last summer, but was unsure how the season would go without a recognised striker.

City look on course to win the Premier League title as they hold a nine-point lead over Liverpool, having scored 61 goals in 25 games.

However, there were questions at the start of the season as they drew blanks against Leicester, Tottenham, who they face on Saturday Night Football, Southampton and Paris Saint-Germain.

Guardiola has confirmed City tried to prise Kane away, but Spurs were clear in their stance.

"I never was, in my 11 or 12 years, disappointed in what the club cannot do in the transfer market," said Guardiola.

"I've never created a fire here because I represent the club and the club is always beyond myself by far.

"We tried [to sign Kane] but it was far away to be done because Tottenham was clear this is not going to happen. And when it happens two, three, four times, it's over.

"Now you can say 'Harry Kane didn't come and everything is going well' but at the time I didn't know it. When we lost to Spurs and Leicester in the Community Shield. And I don't know what will happen in the next few weeks.

"The club gave me players and I'm always delighted - and it's then what we can do together. Maybe if we had a proper striker we would play with a striker but with the players we have we have to adapt."

Without a recognised striker, City have shared the goals around this season, with Riyad Mahrez, Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva all hitting double figures.

"The club is beyond everyone and I know they do the best for me," added Guardiola.

"I know them; when we lose we are sad but nobody is pointing fingers saying 'your fault, your fault,