Mancini ready to wield the axe

Roberto Mancini is ready to wield the axe on his misfiring Manchester City stars for this weekend's FA Cup fifth round tie with Leeds.

The City boss was furious with his team after their 3-1 defeat at Southampton as they fell 12 points behind Manchester United in the Premier League title race.

And Mancini insist he will only select players he believes are ready to roll their sleeves up for the cause.

"I am sure we will change that, because I will change players next week. I only want players who are ready for the fight in the last 12 games," he told the Manchester Evening News.

"I am very angry with a lot of my players, and very disappointed at the performance, because it is impossible to play the way we did.

"We didn't fight for every ball. We can't always win by playing well - that is normal. Sometimes we play well and win, but you also need to be able to win because you fight for every ball, and fight against an opponent who also wants to win the game.

"Every team that plays against us treats it like a Champions League final, but we should know this, it is normal.

"We now have 12 games left, (we) need to do well in the Premier League, and we have the FA Cup - there are games left and we can do better. We need to finish the season the way we did last year."

Carlos Tevez should be available against Leeds after missing the St Mary's defeat because of a family issue.

Defenders Matija Nastasic and Kolo Toure also missed the trip to the south coast after late returns from international duty.

Mancini branded the fixture demands caused by the internationals "ridiculous" but he spared his defence - which included midfielder Javi Garcia playing as a makeshift centre-back - from criticism.

"The fixtures are ridiculous sometimes, as we played on Saturday and then had six players who came back on Friday, and five who came back Thursday night. Sometimes it is impossible," he said.



"Nastasic came back Friday and Kolo came back three or four days ago - plus the last time Javi Garcia played there, he played really, really well.

"On Saturday we played well in defence, but the problem was that we didn't give the defenders any help. They were left to play alone, and we conceded two goals the like of which I have never seen in my life."

Mancini still has title hope

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini insists the title race is not over despite his team's 2-2 home draw with Liverpool.

The situation could have been worse for City in the Premier League clash at the Etihad on Sunday had Sergio Aguero not scored 12 minutes from time to rescue a point.

"Last year we recovered eight points in six games so I don't know why it can't happen this year," said Mancini.

"They have to play in the FA Cup and the Champions League so the season is long - three months - and we are confident. It is enough to recover three or four points in three games.

"For us it is important to play the derby two or three points behind and we have time to recover these points. We didn't play like we had in the last month but we are confident.

"Two years ago Chelsea were nine points behind and when they went to play at Old Trafford two games from the end they were only two points behind.

"I don't think this is finished but probably now we have to win all the games but if not then 11 or 12 games. But in football this can happen sometimes."

Edin Dzeko put the hosts in front before strikes from Daniel Sturridge and Steven Gerrard turned the game in favour of Liverpool.

Mancini felt aggrieved that play had not stopped in the build-up to Sturridge's goal after Dzeko was challenged by Daniel Agger.

He said: "I think Liverpool played a good game. We conceded two goals, stupid goals for me.

"But before the first goal there was a big foul - if it had happened with us, probably there would have been a red card.

"Instead, the referee and linesman did not see anything. In the end, though, I think it was the right result."

Asked if he felt Liverpool should have put the ball out when Dzeko was left on the turf by Agger, Mancini said: "Probably, because after this foul I think there were several seconds (before the goal).

"I think so, but this can happen. I think it was a foul and should have been a yellow card. The rules are the same for everyone always."

Mancini has summer targets

Roberto Mancini admits he is already in the process of drawing up summer transfer plans at Manchester City.

Roberto Mancini has revealed his admiration for Liverpool striker Luis Suarez.

It is being suggested that City are plotting an elaborate spending spree, with it likely that there will be a number of comings and goings at the Etihad Stadium.

Mancini is said to have been left frustrated by the club's failure to land their top targets during the last two transfer windows, and he is now looking for considerable backing.

He is confident he will get that, with City having already identified those they will be setting their sights on.

Mancini said: "It's difficult in January to find really good players for us.

"Clubs don't want to sell now, but maybe they will in the summer. We need to work now, so that it is not like last year.

"Last year we didn't work well. It's important we start now. Now's the time we can close in on some good players for the summer.



"I have meetings with Txiki (Begiristain) every week and we talk about the summer.

"It will be easier to get players in the summer if we work hard, well and quickly now.

"You can't start looking at players in May because all the good ones are gone and it becomes impossible."

Mancini has been linked with a move for Suarez in the summer as he looks to bring in a replacement for Mario Balotelli.

Suarez will come up against Mancini this weekend and the City boss is a big fan of the Uruguayan forward.

"Suarez for me is a top player," Mancini said. "I like him because he is strong and he works hard.

"For me, he is one of the best in England."

Asked if he would like to sign Suarez, Mancini laughed: "Suarez? But he plays for Liverpool.

"Yeah I like his quality. He has quality and he is strong."

Suarez recently pledged his future to Liverpool saying he would stay at Anfield even if they fail to qualify for the UEFA Champions League.

Balotelli move to AC Milan

Mario Balotelli is officially a Milan player after agreeing a four-and-a-half-year contract, completing his move from Manchester City for €20m plus bonuses.



The news was confirmed on Milan Channel, the official club television channel, and he will have his medical on Wednesday.



“Mario arrives tomorrow!!!” read a statement on Milan Channel. “There is an agreement between the two clubs.



“Tomorrow he’ll undergo a medical and after that Mario will sign a contract with Milan until June 30 2017.”



Up until a couple of weeks ago, the price-tag set by City had been €37m, but Milan managed to negotiate it down to €20m to be paid over a six-year period, plus another €3m in performance-related bonuses.



Balotelli himself was crucial in the negotiations, as the lifelong Rossoneri supporter reportedly agreed to cut his wages from €6m net to just €4m.



Italian sources suggest he has already left the Manchester City training camp ahead of tonight's game with QPR and will be in Milan this evening.

Milan and Juve in talk over possible move for Balotelli

Manchester City have held talks with AC Milan and Juventus about the sale of striker Mario Balotelli, but will only let him go if the Serie A clubs meet their valuation.

City value the Italian, 22, at around 24m euros (£21m) including add-ons.

Balotelli is not actively up for sale and City will not subsidise any of his salary should he leave the club.

Contrary to reports, Balotelli is with the squad that travelled to London for Tuesday's meeting with QPR.

Milan initiated talks with City over the Italy striker, and Juve subsequently made contact with the Premier League club to discuss buying Balotelli, who arrived in Manchester from Inter Milan in August 2010 for a fee in the region of £24m.



Earlier on Monday, City assistant manager David Platt had said Balotelli would not be moving to AC Milan this month.

"I don't think anything is going to happen," said Platt of a proposed January move.

"It's a shame the manager's not here. He might know more than me but as far as we are concerned I think he is still a Manchester City player.

And City manager Roberto Mancini had also insisted on Friday that the Italian, regularly linked with a return to Italy since he arrived in England in 2010, would not leave the club.

"It is not true. Mario stays. We didn't have any requests about Mario or other players," said Mancini.

The Italian also said it would be "difficult" to buy new players with so little time left in the transfer window.

"I don't know [if City will buy anyone] but we don't have enough players," he added. "We are 18 players now. We can't sell any players."

Balotelli - who has scored one league goal in 14 appearances this term - has courted controversy throughout his time in England, with the latest incident involving a training ground row with Mancini at the start of January.

AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani had stated that if City were to lower their valuation then a move could be on, but Mancini insisted the Italy international remained part of his long-term plans.



"Mario has another three years on his contract," he said.

Komapny could be out for three weeks.

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany could be out for up to three weeks with a calf injury.

The defender suffered a recurrence of the problem during Saturday's FA Cup win at Stoke City. The 26-year-old Belgian is now in danger of missing his side's upcoming games against Queens Park Rangers, Liverpool and Southampton, according to the Daily Mail.



Kompany is due to undergo tests on Monday to determine the severity of the injury.


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Thursday's round up of the top transfer stories

- Manchester City target Isco is on the verge of signing a contract extension at Malaga, according to the club's director of football Mario Husillos.



- Wilfried Zaha is expected to finalise his move to Manchester United within the next few days.



- Manchester United striker Federico Macheda has joined Stuttgart on loan for the rest of the season.



- Pepe Reina's agent is flying to Merseyside for talks over the Liverpool goalkeeper's future at Anfield, according to the Daily Mirror.



- Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers wants to raid his former club Swansea for £8million-rated defender Ashley Williams, according to Dailymail.



- Chesterfield chief executive Chris Turner says the club are willing to listen to offers from Liverpool and Everton for midfield sensation Tendayi Darikwa.



- Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, who has been linked with Manchester United, has emerged as a target for rivals Manchester City, according to the Daily Mirror.



- Everton defender Sylvain Distin has signed a new one-year contract extension which keeps him at Goodison Park until next summer.



- Newcastle's are on the brink of completing the signing of another French signing after Toulouse claimed they had agreed a deal for Moussa Sissoko.



- Massadio Haidara has completed his move to Newcastle, becoming the fourth Frenchman manager Alan Pardew has signed this month.



- Lewis Holtby is heading for Tottenham, but Schalke have blocked a second attempt to put a January deal in place.



- Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill has received no contact from Queens Park Rangers amid reported interest in Titus Bramble.



- Peter Odemwingie has been told that he will not be allowed to leave West Brom during the current transfer window, the club's new sporting and technical director, Richard Garlick, has confirmed.



- QPR manager Harry Redknapp hopes to tie up the signing of Rolando by the weekend.



- Harry Redknapp was at Parc des Princes on Wednesday night to examine defensive midfield transfer target Etienne Capoue of Toulouse.



- Emmanuel Pogatetz is on his way back to England - with Fulham reportedly in the hunt to land the former Middlesbrough defender.



- Reading boss Brian McDermott has once again attempted to distance the club from a move for Arsenal's Andrey Arshavin.



- West Ham midfielder Momo Diame insists he is happy to stay with the club despite the release clause in his contract.



- Chelsea midfielder Ulises Davila says he needs to get a good season on loan at Spanish side Sabadell under his belt before he returns to Stamford Bridge.



- Premier League clubs, including Aston Villa and Wigan, are on alert after Luciano Becchio handed in a transfer request at Leeds United.



- Leeds and Wolves are in a two-way fight to land Aston Villa's Stephen Warnock.



- Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente has agreed to join Juventus on a four-year contract at the end of the season.



- AC Milan president Silvio Berlusconi feels the club have been priced out of moves for Mario Balotelli and Kaka.



- Barcelona does not intend to put Víctor Valdés up for sale in the summer. The club has decided to allow the goalkeeper – whose contract expires in 2014 - to make up his own mind, meaning that Valdés must be the one to propose an offer to Barça.



- FC Groningen are trying to price Virgil van Dijk out of a move to England - with Brighton and Sunderland increasingly frustrated in their attempts to land the young defender.



- Rennes midfielder Yann M’Vila has completed a £9.6 million move to Russian outfit Rubin Kazan, according to the BBC.



- Bordeaux are plotting a move for West Ham forward Modibo Maiga, according to reports in France.



- Mainz striker Adam Szalai has played down talk of a January move to Arsenal.



- Celtic striker Mo Bangura has joined Elfsborg on loan for the 2013 Swedish season, his new club confirmed today.



- Birmingham City have asked agents charged with trying to sell keeper Jack Butland to ensure that a large chunk of any transfer fee is paid up front.



- Nottingham Forest have completed the signing of Millwall striker Darius Henderson for an undisclosed fee.



- Sky Sports understands Blackpool are poised to sign Nottingham Forest striker Matt Derbyshire on loan.



- Leeds have revealed striker Luciano Becchio has requested a move away from Elland Road.



- Sunderland midfielder Adam Reed has joined League One side Portsmouth on loan.



- Cardiff manager Malky Mackay has confirmed he is weighing up a move for midfielder Simon Lappin after he was released by Norwich earlier this week.



- Crawley have revealed negotiations have broken down with Bristol City over the transfer of Kyle McFadzean.



- Bristol City have revealed exclusively to Sky Sports that they have rejected an offer for Albert Adomah.



- Barnet have completed the signing of striker Harry Crawford from non-league Dartford.



- Homegrown defender Dale Bennett has left Vicarage Road after cancelling his contract by mutual consent and joined Forest Green Rovers.



- Colin McMenamin has signed for Morton after being released by Ross County.



- Ahead of the new Airtricity League season, Shelbourne have added to their squad with the signing of Graham Gartland.



- Flamengo agreed the loan signing of attacking midfielder Carlos Eduardo on Thursday afternoon, after finally settling terms on an 18-month deal with both the player and Rubin Kazan.



- Philadelphia Union sign midfielder and Harrisburg native Alex Mendoza.

Tuesday's round up of the top transfer stories

- Pep Guardiola has fuelled the intrigue surrounding his future by stressing his desire to work in England.



- Arsenal have abandoned their pursuit of Barcelona forward David Villa and could instead make a move for Atletico Madrid’s Adrian Lopez, according to Goal.com.



- Arsenal are interested in Napoli midfielder Juan Camilo Zuniga but face competition from Barcelona, according to the player's agent.



- Manchester United are keeping an eye on Angel Di Maria's situation at Real Madrid as a potential replacement for Nani.



- Manchester United target James Rodriguez is wanted by Juventus, according to reports in Italy and Portugal.



- Manchester City and Chelsea target Marek Hamsik is ready to commit the rest of his career to Napoli, according to his agent.



- Carlos Tevez is reportedly considering a new contract offer at Manchester City that would keep him at the club until 2016.



- Frank Lampard has turned his back on a £20million offer to join former Chelsea team-mates Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka in China.



- Chelsea's Thibaut Courtois says he wants to stay at Atletico Madrid for another year.



- Rafa Benitez has confirmed that Chelsea teenager Lucas Piazon will spend the rest of the season on loan at Spanish side Malaga.



- Fulham youngster Pajtim Kasami is wanted by Wolfsburg and Sampdoria as Martin Jol prepares to send him out on loan.



- Fulham have dropped out of the race to sign England goalkeeper Jack Butland - with Martin Jol on the verge of landing Roma's Maarten Stekelenburg.



- Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina could be a summer target for Atletico Madrid, according to reports in Spain.



- Molde have accepted a bid from Southampton for defender Vegard Forren.



- Newcastle have failed in a bid to land Lorient striker Jeremie Aliadiere.



- Newcastle United have made a bid for Nancy's Massadio Haidara.



- Newcastle target Massadio Haidara says he wants to join Roma rather than head to St James' Park.



- Newcastle are planning to bring the brilliant Ajax captain Siem de Jong to the Premier League in a £9million deal that will show their transfer ambition.



- Tottenham are maintaining interest in Palermo attacking midfielder Josip Ilicic, 24.



- Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert is looking to drag Toulouse midfielder Moussa Sissoko onto his sinking ship - in the hope of plugging some of the leaks ahead of the relegation scramble.



- West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has cooled speculation linking Arsenal with a move for his midfielder Mohamed Diame.



- Winston Reid has agreed a new two-year extension to his West Ham contract to see off interest from Barclays Premier League heavyweights, including Newcastle.



- QPR could sell Stephane Mbia to Chelsea should they be successful with their pursuit of Rennes midfielder Yann M’Vila, according to L’Equipe.



- Queens Park Rangers have hijacked Loic Remy’s move to the Barclays Premier League and swooped to steal the France striker from under Newcastle United’s noses in an £8million move.



- Southampton are among those to have expressed an interest in Bologna's Frederik Sorensen, claims the defender's agent.



- Barcelona are ready to join Real Madrid in the race to sign Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea, according to El Mundo Deportivo.



- Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes insists he has made no decision over his future amid speculation linking him with a move to Liverpool.



- AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has again insisted the Serie A giants have no interest in signing Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli.



- Inter Milan playmaker Wesley Sneijder has hinted that he is ready to reject a move to Galatasaray after admitting that he is in no rush to make a decision about his future.



- Eduardo Vargas is set to join Gremio on a sixth-month loan deal on Wednesday.



- Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski, who is believed to be a target for Manchester United, could join Juventus, his agent has told Sky Sports.



- Hamburg forward Son Heung-Min, who has been linked with a move to Liverpool, has emerged as a target for Tottenham, according to Bild.



- Borussia Dortmund defender Felipe Santana has dismissed speculation he will leave the Bundesliga club during this month's transfer window.



- The agent of Danish ace Christian Eriksen maintains the midfielder's focus is on Ajax despite ongoing interest.



- Toulouse midfielder Etienne Capoue is back on Arsenal's radar and is also a target for Chelsea, according to Le Sport 10.



- Nenê confirmed on Sunday that he is set to leave Paris Saint-Germain for Qatari club Al-Gharafa, rather than return to Brazil.



- Sao Paulo president Juvenal Juvencio admits they are interested in signing Denilson on a permanent deal from Arsenal, but not until June.



- Francesco Stella is set to leave Rangers after the Australian failed to make an impact at Ibrox.



- York City have signed striker Ben Everson until the end of the season, subject to international clearance.



- Derby County defender Tom Naylor has extended his loan at Bradford City by a further month.



- Ross County have completed the signing of Evangelos Ikonomou from Greek club Atromitos.



- Preston North End have signed defender Paul Connolly on loan from Leeds United until April.



- Bournemouth have agreed a fee with Aberdeen for highly-rated young winger Ryan Fraser.



- Toronto FC has confirmed the signing of Brazilian veteran Julio Cesar.

Dzeko open to January Man City exit

Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko has not yet ruled out a January departure from the club, expressing his desire to return to the Bundesliga.



Dzeko has scored six goals after coming off the bench this season, but his 'super-sub' status has perhaps hindered his game time at City. The striker says he is willing to listen to offers from clubs able to give him more opportunities.



"Anything is possible," he told the Sunday Mirror. "I wouldn't rule out leaving now or in the summer, but I'm trying not to think about it.



"It is up to me to try to use the opportunities I am being given at City - everything else is beyond my powers at the moment.



"Honestly, I'm not thinking about specific clubs now, but I would like to return to Germany.



"It's too early to speak about that at the moment. I am a City player right now and I don't see a reason to talk about anything else, but yes, I love the Bundesliga and would love to go back there sometime."



Meanwhile, City team-mate Pablo Zabaleta moved to dismiss reports suggesting Sergio Aguero is homesick and is considering leaving the club.



"I hope he'll stay here a long time," Zabaleta told the Sun. "He's a young player but he's signed a long-term contract and we want to keep him. He's an important player here.



"When I speak to him he always tells me he's enjoying life in Manchester at this club. He's here to win trophies and to help make this club bigger. I think he's going in the right direction. And we all know how important he is for this club - he was brilliant last season.



"I see him every day. His family were here for Christmas, he had a really good time with them. The private life is always important. If you have problems off the pitch, it's not easy. Everyone can have problems.



"He's working really hard for the team and he scored probably the most important goal for this club in the last 50 years. Every fan will have Sergio in his heart."

Man City lodge Kompany appeal

Manchester City have lodged an appeal against the sending off of captain Vincent Kompany during the 2-0 win over Arsenal on Sunday.



The Belgium international was shown a straight red card by referee Mike Dean after 76 minutes following a challenge on Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere.



City boss Roberto Mancini said immediately after the game that the reigning Barclays Premier League champions would appeal the decision and the club have confirmed they are seeking to have the dismissal overturned.



Speaking after the game, Mancini questioned the decision and claimed Kompany had not even committed a foul when challenging Wilshere.



"We will appeal, because it is impossible that we can lose one player for three games for nothing. It is not a red card, it is nothing," he said.



"He went into the tackle, anticipating the opponent and took the ball before.



"I don't know how it is possible to get a red card like this. It was no foul, no red card."



Kompany also later took to Twitter to defend the challenge but stopped short of criticising Dean.



He wrote: "First. Massive congrats to our team and fans, great game! Also. No grudges against the referee, I understand the difficulty of the job.



"About the tackle: If the ball is overrun by the opponent and a 50/50 challenge occurs, collision is inevitable.



"Ultimately I'm a defender: Appeal may work or not. I will never pull out of a challenge, as much as I will never intend to injury a player."



If the appeal is unsuccessful and the three-match ban upheld City would be without their skipper for Premier League matches with Fulham and QPR and an FA Cup fourth-round tie against either Crystal Palace or Stoke.

City to offer Tevez new deal

Manchester City intend to offer Carlos Tevez a new contract to prevent the striker leaving for free when his current deal expires in 18 months.



Roberto Mancini has been impressed with the Argentinian's attitude since their infamous falling out last season, and he expects talks to begin shortly.



Mancini said: "I don't know what Carlos thinks about this. We have another 18 months and I think we have the time to talk with him about this. When Carlos takes his decision, he will talk with us."



When asked whether a one-year extension could be an option, Mancini added: "Yes, this could be because Carlos is 28 and he has other years to play. I think that this could be an option.



"His behaviour is very good, he works very well. He is an important player because he has experience in this moment and also now he can help Mario which is important."



Mancini is not concerned about trailing Manchester United by seven points, even if the gap was to grow this weekend.



"They play at home against Liverpool and we play against Arsenal away," he added. "Everything is possible in this moment but it doesn't change anything.



"Last year United recovered when we were five points up and after Arsenal we went eight points behind. United recovered 13 points. So, we can recover 10. It is not a problem."

City fan banned over Rio clash

The fan who confronted Rio Ferdinand at the end of the Manchester derby has been banned from attending football matches for three years.



Manchester City fan Matthew Stott, 21, was told he came close to going to prison, but instead his 56-day jail term was suspended for 12 months.



Stott had to be restrained by City keeper Joe Hart from confronting Ferdinand, who was bleeding from a cut caused by a coin thrown from the stands.



Ferdinand had been celebrating Robin van Persie's late winner for United at City's Etihad Stadium when tempers boiled over.



TV footage of the incident was played at Manchester Magistrates Court showing Stott, who had drunk eight pints of lager before kick-off, trying to confront Ferdinand.



Stott, a landscape gardener of Southfields, Knutsford, pleaded guilty to encroaching on the field of play and using insulting words or behaviour.



As well as the football ban and suspended jail sentence, he was ordered to do 120 hours community service, must pay £145 in costs and observe an 8pm to 6am home curfew for three months.



District Judge Richardson said: "He chose to attack somebody on a football pitch. But for the timely and appropriate intervention of the City goalkeeper the situation would have been a lot worse and could have triggered a serious incident of disorder."



Rebecca Caulfield, defending Stott, said her client could now not remember what he had done.



She added: "He's lost his job, he's received death threats and his family has suffered intimidation by members of the public, in person, by telephone, camping outside his father's flat, and threats on Facebook."



Stott issued an apology through his solicitor the day after the match saying he was "extremely ashamed" of his actions.

Mancini clashes with Balotelli

Misfit Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli and manager Roberto Mancini were involved in a furious training ground bust-up today.



The City boss was seen to grab, shove and gesticulate wildly at the striker as the pair clashed in front of stunned team-mates at the club's Carrington base.



The 22-year-old Italian striker was then seen being restrained and led away by a member of staff, believed to be Massimo Battara, in shocking scenes as City prepared their FA Cup third round clash with Watford.

Mancini reacted furiously following a tackle from Balotelli on a team-mate said to be Scott Sinclair, once again putting the Italian's future at the club in doubt.



One onlooker told Sky Sports News: 'Mancini ran at him - he was furious,' said the onlooker. 'He grabbed hold of him and appeared to try and throw him on the floor.



'It looked like Mario was too strong and he couldn't get him down. Then all the coaches ran in to separate them but Mancini was having none of it. He kept trying to break free and have a go at him again.'



After the incident, Balotelli drove off in his camouflage Bentley GT. He has a history of irritating his manager, leading to much speculation he will be sold.



When Balotelli was sent off against Arsenal last season, his furious manager intimated that it was the end of the line for the striker.

After that game Mancini said: 'I can continue to play with Mario on the pitch. Every time, we risk one sent off, like today.'



Then asked for how long he would put up with the striker's antics, he said: 'I am finished. We have six games and he will not play in the next six games (because of suspension).'



Other incidents which antagonised his manager include the time he was caught throwing darts at youth team players at the training ground and him staying up late before the Manchester derby - after letting off fireworks in his house.

The drama comes just after former team-mate Zlatan Ibrahimovic claimed Balotelli offered City the best chance of retaining their Barclays Premier League title.



He believes Mancini should continue to take the rough with the smooth and persist with the precociously talented striker.



'If you ever spend any time with Mario then you love Mario,' said the 31-year-old Swede, who has been no stranger to controversy himself during a 13-year career at the highest level.



'Even though he is not always the easiest player for the coach to manage, speak to any of his old coaches like Jose (former Inter and current Real Madrid boss Mourinho) and they will tell you when you work with Mario you always have a smile on your face.'



Ibrahimovic, who has netted 18 goals in just 16 games for Paris Saint-Germain this season, believes that Balotelli can inspire City to claw back the seven-point lead Manchester United currently hold over them in the title race.

'He is a special player and a special talent,' added the former Milan, Barcelona and Juventus man. 'When Mario plays like he can he will hurt any team in the world.



'Manchester City are already a way behind Manchester United in the Premier League – but if any player can retain the title for them it is Mario. All the class that Manchester City have I would still say Mario is the most capable.'

Ibrahimovic - who scored a stunning long-range overhead kick against England in November - also revealed that he helped Mancini to nurture Balotelli when the trio were together at the San Siro.



'I tried to help Mario because it is true he does sometimes make decisions in the moment – but that is his personality,' he added.



'Roberto will know the same as me that the way to get the best out of Mario is to love him. That is what he will react best to – and if they can get Mario playing at his best then Manchester City still have a big chance.'

Kompany: City can catch Utd

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany believes the title race is far from over and that his side are capable of catching Manchester United.



The 19-time Premier League winners are currently seven points clear of their cross-town rivals, who have struggled to consistently replicate their form of last season.



City only drew five games in the top-flight last term, however, this season they have already been held on six occasions at this halfway stage.



However, the Belgian defender believes his team are stronger than they were when they pipped United to the title on a dramatic last day during the 2011/2012 campaign, and feels they are capable of defending their crown.



Kompany said: "A couple of years ago, if we had fallen seven points behind, we would have said it would be very difficult.



"We have proved what we can do and everybody is very calm. That's the advantage you get when you win it once."



The Citizens have had a stop-start campaign this time around and being knocked out of the Champions League means they can focus all their attentions on the league.



City boss Roberto Mancini will be without key players this month as Yaya Toure, Kolo Toure will both be representing Ivory Coast at the Africa Cup of Nations, while joint top goal scorer Sergio Aguero is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury.



But Argentine defender Pablo Zabaleta wants his team-mates to step up in the absence of Toure, who has been a key figure in Mancini's line-up.



"Yaya has been a regular player for a long time. We know how important Yaya is to the team but there are other players who can do the same job."



Last season City dropped points in January, losing twice in five games in the league. They were also knocked out of the FA Cup, all in the absence of the Ivorian midfielder.



"Last season, January and February was when we dropped points and we need to try to make sure that doesn't happen again," he concluded.

Nasri feels isolated

Samir Nasri has been left feeling 'isolated' at Manchester City in the wake of derby day criticism aimed in his direction.



Nasri was considered to be at fault for Manchester United's late winner at the Etihad Stadium on 9th December, with a Robin van Persie free-kick deflecting off the Frenchman and past Joe Hart.

City boss Roberto Mancini was openly critical of Nasri in the aftermath of the game, with it felt that the former Arsenal man could have done more to block the winning strike.

He was selected for a victory over Newcastle the following week, but is currently sidelined with a groin injury which looks set to keep him out until the New Year.

It remains to be seen whether Nasri will be drafted straight back into Mancini's plans when fully fit, with his representative revealing that the 25-year-old still feels hard done by.

Jean-Pierre Bernes said: "He's a bit isolated, internally, even though he is a solid man.

"I think that, effectively, he has feelings of inner suffering with regards to that incident (against United) because it was not fair.

"I think you have to be fair in life, you shouldn't be excessive."


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Manchester City cut losses by 50%

Premier League champions Manchester City have announced annual losses of £97.9million.

Although the sum is still enormous, it is less than half the £197.5million announced 12 months ago.



And with City reporting turnover in the 2011-12 season of £231.1million, the highest in the club's history, it underlines the rapid progress being made by the Premier League champions in establishing themselves as one of Europe's elite clubs.



Although failure to progress from the Champions League group stage has had an obvious impact on turnover, this year and last, the club are still delighted with the performance.



And they are confident even the huge losses confirmed today will not have an impact on their ability to meet UEFA's strict Financial Fair Play guidelines as £15million comes from infrastructure and youth development costs.



More importantly, approximately £80million comes from contracts that pre-date 2010, from which City expect to get some kind of relief.



City's annual statement for the year ending May 31 2012 also confirms the "capital base of the club has also been strengthened through the issuing of £169million in new equity during the year, avoiding debt-based funding and continuing to ensure that the club is virtually debt free".



Clearly, the largesse of owner Sheikh Mansour is still required to make the club viable in the short-term.



However, with plans for the state-of-the-art academy and training facility across the road from the Etihad Stadium now well advanced, club officials believe within the medium term that the club, who ended a 35-year wait for a trophy when they won the FA Cup in 2011, will be self-sustaining.



Chief executive Ferran Soriano said: "What I have found is a club on the verge of a historic transformation, reinforced by a genuine commitment to doing things well.



"It is a club with a rich history and the potential for an even brighter future."

Mancini expects to lose Yaya

Roberto Mancini expects key midfielder Yaya Toure to leave Manchester City for the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa in January.

The City manager had wanted to retain Toure's services during the early part of 2013 but has confirmed the midfielder is keen to compete in the tournament.



Toure is expected to join up with the Ivory Coast squad following the Premier League club's third round FA Cup tie on January 5.



Mancini said: "I think he will go to the African Nations Cup after the Watford game."



Toure was involved in the 2012 competition when the Ivory Coast reached the final before losing to Zambia on penalties. Next year's competition runs from January 19 to February 10.



Meanwhile, Mancini believes skipper Vincent Kompany has only a 'two per cent' chance of being fit for Saturday's trip to Newcastle after he suffered a groin injury against Manchester United last Sunday.



And while City will give the Belgium international every chance of making the trip to St James' Park, Mancini doesn't expect him to make it.



"We will try but it is difficult," said Mancini. "Probably two per cent chance."

City head to the North-East six points adrift of United following last weekend's game at the Etihad Stadium.



Yet despite that 3-2 defeat, Mancini insists he has total belief in his squad, and that City actually proved themselves to be the superior side no matter what the result.



"We showed that we were better than Manchester United," said Mancini. "But they have more experience than us and it is not a problem to them when they fall behind.



"We need to work hard but we can recover this position. By February everything could have changed."

Mancini: Mario not for sale

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini insists he has no plans to sell maverick forward Mario Balotelli.



The striker was substituted in the early stages of the second half in City's 3-2 derby defeat to Manchester United on Sunday, sparking criticism from his manager.



Mancini accused Balotelli of wasting his talent and stressed that these performances could not continue, leading to reports that the former Inter Milan man's time in Manchester was up.



But the Etihad boss has moved to calm speculation by highlighting the player's quality and confirming the Italy international will not be transferred.



"Balotelli is not for sale," Mancini told Sky Sport Italia.



"Mario is a City player, he is loved by the fans and the management. He has been an important player for us.



"A player of his quality should think exclusively to his work and his family, he has talent and he cannot blow it as he is doing.



"Our paths may separate if I change team, but he will remain at City."



Serious



Meanwhile, Mancini says he is also not planning to leave the Etihad Stadium but admitted to missing life in his homeland.



"I'm fine at City," said the Italian. "I work in a very serious club and in England it is easier to work. There is a project and we have done a great job in two years.



"I feel really good, but it is clear that I miss Italy because home is always missing."



Asked about the prospect of coaching the Italy national team, he added: "It is still early and [Cesare] Prandelli is doing well."



Speculation



Mancini also dismissed speculation linking City with a move for midfield duo Daniele De Rossi of Roma and Wesley Sneijder of Inter.



Asked about De Rossi, he said: "We tried to get him in the summer, but it ended there. I think that he now remains at Roma. I do not think he will leave."



Regarding a possible move for Sneijder, Mancini added: "We have never contacted him. Wesley has great quality, but we have other players in that role, like [Samir] Nasri and [David] Silva."



But the City boss was more forthcoming when asked about AC Milan forward Stephan El Shaarawy, the current top goalscorer in Serie A.



"I really like El Shaarawy," said Mancini.



"He is really good player who has seen an incredible improvement. He can become a great champion. Will he be coming to City? No, he's at Milan."

Yaya Toure: Title race not over

Yaya Toure has insisted the Premier League title race is not over after Manchester City's derby defeat to Manchester United left them six points behind the league leaders.



The Ivorian midfielder described Robin van Persie's injury-time winner as "a dagger in the heart" but urged his team-mates to show the spirit of champions and retain their crown.



Toure scored City's first goal as they came from 2-0 down to draw level before Van Persie condemned City to a loss that the former Barcelona player said only increases their determination.



"The title race is not finished - anything but," he told City's official website "We will continue to give United problems in the league and at the end of the season I hope we will win it again. We thought we would win the game when we made it 2-2, but United have great experience and Wayne Rooney was fantastic for them.



"It was a dagger in the heart to concede a third so late in the game, but it was a fantastic game for the fans, and that is why I like the Premier League so much. It is the toughest league in the world.



"Disappointing though this defeat is, it only makes us more determined to win the title. We have to be strong mentally and strong in every other way as well, but our championship challenge is not finished."



City were eight points behind United with six games to go last season and recovered to overhaul their neighbours but Toure has warned them this season could be even more difficult.



He added: "We have to forget what we have done in the past. This year will be tough, but we have a fantastic squad and we have the confidence to keep going until the final day. We will never give up.



"We need to improve by working even harder, because when you are at the top everybody wants to take you down.



"Last year was fantastic, but we have to realise that sometimes you go through tough periods - we can turn this around. When the chips are down, that's when the tough really get going and we will show why we are champions."

Police charge nine after derby

Police have charged nine people following incidents at Sunday's Manchester derby.



But they are yet to charge anyone for the coin-throwing incident which saw Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand hit by an object at the end of the match.



Ferdinand was celebrating Robin van Persie's late winner but was left with a gash above his eye after the incident.



Two men have been charged with pitch encroachment.



Chief Inspector Steve Howard said: "To have just 13 arrests for a crowd of this size and a match of this proportion is a testament to the policing operation we put in place.



"Despite fierce rivalry and high tension there was no major disorder. However, we will continue to investigate the coin throwing incident and are determined to work with the club to bring the perpetrator to justice."