Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho insists he's much more than a minder.

The Brazilian bristles at suggestions he is nothing more sophisticated that an old-fashioned midfield ­muscle-man.

He said: “In my country, they used to call players in my position a defensive midfielder. But it is not defensive.

“I try to win the ball high up the pitch to start ­attacks. And I know I have enough ­quality to play in a team that likes to play attacking football.

“Even in an attacking team like City, a big part of the game is to know also how to defend. It isn't just me. When the other team has the ball, we are all under instruction to win it back. We defend with 10 outfield players."