Raheem Sterling has revealed the influence Pep Guardiola has had on him at Manchester City.

The much-maligned winger is in a rich vein of form in the early stages of the new season and has put his confident beginning to 2016/17 down to the fact Guardiola believes in him.

"When I was on holiday in the summer I said I need to come back working hard to show the manager I'm willing to fight for a place," Sterling said.

"Pep makes it simple - he tells you it like it is. He gives me a lot of confidence as a young player.

"I got a lot of criticism last year which I thought was a bit unfair. Now I don't pay it any mind. I don't read things like that."