Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero poses for a photo with Rory McIlroy - a huge Manchester United supporter

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Rory McIlroy momentarily put his Manchester United allegiance to one side by recently posing for a picture with Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero.

Aguero has scored 13 goals for City in all competitions this season, helping Pep Guardiola's side carve out an 11-point lead at the summit of the Premier League with United second.

McIlroy, currently at 10 in golf's world rankings after a trophyless 2017, has never made any secret of his United fandom.

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero shared a picture of himself with Rory McIlroy

McIlroy is a big Manchester United fan and paraded the Claret Jug at Old Trafford in 2014

McIlroy also raved about a speech from Sir Alex Ferguson ahead of the 2014 Ryder Cup

After winning The Open in 2014, McIlroy was invited to parade the Claret Jug around Old Trafford at the beginning of the 2014-15 season, when United played their first home game against Swansea.

And in 2011, while competing at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, McIlroy made a dash on the Saturday from Viriginia Water in Surrey to make it to Wembley in time for kick-off in the Champions League final between United and Barcelona, which Barca won 3-1.

He also spoke of his admiration for Sir Alex Ferguson when the former United boss delivered a speech to Paul McGinley's Ryder Cup team in 2014.

'For me, being a Manchester United fan, it was the highlight of the week so far,' McIlroy said ahead of the tournament. 'I was just sitting there and looking up at him, and I didn't take my eyes off him.

'I was in this trance just listening to everything that he was saying, thinking, this is all the stuff that he's probably said to Manchester United teams over the years.'

McIlroy and Aguero appear to have struck up a friendship away from their respective sports.

Aguero shared a snap on social media with the Northern Irishman previously in April 2016.

Sportsmail reported on Monday that the Argentina striker is currently playing with a persistent heel problem which requires daily care from the City medical staff.

The duo appear to have struck up a friendship - they pictured together in 2016 as well

Aguero has been dealing with a persistent heal problem this season at City

McIlroy is gearing up for a bumper 2018 after taking three months off at the end of this year

McIlroy, meanwhile, is gearing up for a blockbuster return to golf next year after taking three months away from the sport to recover from a niggling injury of his own - a rib issue - and to work on improving facets of his game on the range.

Last week, he revealed he will play eight events leading up to The Masters - the one major he hasn't won - in April and said in an interview he cannot wait to return to the course.

'I allowed myself that little bit of a break to feel rejuvenated and ready to go again next year,' McIlroy told Sport360. 'I'm feeling good and I'm really excited. I haven't been this excited about a golf season for a while, so I'm really looking forward to it.'