Sergio Aguero insists he was never interested in Real Madrid

Manchester City's Argentine striker spoke to Goal about his future at City, Neymar pairing with Lionel Messi at Barcelona and his interest in playing for New York City FC

NEW YORK -- Manchester City star forward Sergio Aguero insists that he is happy with life in Manchester and expects the Citizens to rebound from a disappointing season. 

A year after beating out Manchester United for the top spot in the Premier League, City finished second behind its rival and failed to pick up a single trophy in 2012-13. However, Aguero believes the club is headed in the right direction.

"I'm happy to be part of a club that is growing so fast," Aguero told Goal. "I'm very happy to be at Manchester, it's been two years now but hopefully we are going to do bigger things in the next few years."

Rumored to be upset at how City's season finished, Aguero was linked to Real Madrid during this summer transfer window before putting that speculation to rest by signing a one-year extension with the Blues. A former player for Aletico Madrid, Real's biggest rival, Aguero was adamant that he never had interest in joining Los Blancos. 

"No, those were just rumors," Aguero said. "I'm committed to Manchester City, it's a great club."

After setting the Premier League on fire with 23 league goals and leading City to its first title in 44 years in his debut season, Aguero was one of the many players who saw their performances dip last season. City also had a disappointing run in the Champions League, finishing fourth in its group, and lost in the FA Cup to Wigan - a team that was relegated shortly after. It was speculated that head coach Roberto Mancini had lost his team and as a result he was fired after the FA Cup upset. 

Aguero explained that there wasn't one particular reason why City disappointed last year and he believes that it was always going to be difficult to live up to the previous season. 

"You can't win the title every year but we finished second, made the FA Cup final," Aguero said. "Hopefully next year we can titles again."

Manuel Pellegrini is expected to take over the helm at the Etihad Stadium but at this stage of the year, Aguero only wants to focus on the team's end-of-the season break. 

"There's various rumors about it [Pellegrini] but we are going on holiday now," Aguero stated. "When we get back, whoever is the manager, we will be behind him and the club." 

After Manchester City revealed its intention to launch Major League Soccer's 20th club, New York City FC, with the New York Yankees, City's players - including Aguero - attended various promotional events throughout New York's five boroughs. Aguero played basketball at the world famous Rucker Park on Wednesday and on Saturday morning, surprised a few children at a pickup soccer game. 

Aguero is impressed by soccer's growth in the United States and admits that he would like to play for NYC FC at some point. 

"Ah, you never know. At the moment, I'm at City but hopefully one day I would be able to [play for NYCFC]," Aguero revealed. "For now, I'm at Manchester City and that's all I can think of.

"Soccer is slowly growing in the USA, you are seeing it [MLS] more in South America and in Europe. As it continues to slowly improve, it will grow and become an exciting sport for Americans to follow."

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Aguero wouldn't go much into Neymar's blockbuster move to join his Argentinan national teammate Lionel Messi at Barcelona. However, after being prodded a few times, the 24-year-old admitted that he is looking forward to watching both players in tandem on the pitch. 

"When top players join other top players, it is always exciting," Aguero said. "We will see how it works out."