Roberto Mancini claims Manchester United's impending Champions League clash with Real Madrid could tilt the title race back in Manchester City's favour after insisting that only a "very small" gap will separate the two clubs by the end of the month.
City face the prospect of falling 10 points behind Premier League -leaders United ahead of the match against Liverpool on Sunday if Sir Alex Ferguson's team win at Fulham on Saturday.
But with United due to play the first leg of their last-16 tie against Real in the Bernabeu on Feb 13, Mancini believes that the distraction of tackling the Spanish champions will offer City the chance to close in on their neighbours.
"They [Real Madrid] are two important games for United, so I think that February and March could be the time when it's possible to decide this championship," Mancini said. "In every championship, no team has ever won the title in January, and I think that, when we arrive at the end of February, the gap will be very, very small."
The departure of Mario Balotelli to AC Milan this week has reduced Mancini's attacking options, despite the City manager admitting that
20-year-old Swedish forward John Guidetti will be promoted to the squad.
Mancini aims to replace Balotelli with a proven goalscorer this summer, with Napoli forward Edinson Cavani the Italian's favoured option. And while he admires Liverpool's Luis Suarez, the potential cost of luring the Uruguayan from Anfield, in terms of fee and wages, would all but certainly rule out such a move.
"Suarez for me is a top player," said Mancini. "I like him because he is strong. For me he is one of the best in England, but he plays for Liverpool."
No comments:
Post a Comment