Beware the Wolves: Roberto Mancini warns Manchester City

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has enjoyed the afterglow of last week's stunning derby triumph but now claims it counts for little.

City emphatically underlined their title credentials as they thrashed champions Manchester United 6-1 at Old Trafford to move five points clear at the top of the Barclays Premier League.

Yet while City supporters may continue to revel in their biggest derby win since 1926, Mancini quickly wants to turn back to the bigger picture.

The Italian said: "The feeling is good but the game is in the past now, it is history, finished. We have to focus on Wolves.

"For me it is better to win six derbies 1-0 than one 6-1.

"I enjoy it always, being Manchester City manager.

"I think we are working very well but if we want to become a top team for the next 20 years we cannot be happy only because we beat United 6-1. It is not important.

"The supporters are happy, very happy, but for us we play every three days and work every day.

"We know our job and we understand we should stay with our feet on the floor."

City, who have dropped just two points and scored 33 goals in their opening nine games of the season, have now been installed as title favourites.

"That is not important," added Mancini. "I think there are four or five teams that can win the title.

"At this moment we are top but the table can change every game. The season is long.

"From after the next international break we play every three days for six months. It will be very difficult."

Changes

Mancini made 11 changes for his side's Carling Cup fourth-round win over Wolves in midweek.

The likes of Joe Hart, Vincent Kompany, Joleon Lescott, Yaya Toure, David Silva, Mario Balotelli and Sergio Aguero had a night off but they could return against the same opponents on Saturday.

Wolves, beaten 5-2 at Molineux on Wednesday, are also likely to field a much-changed side for the Premier League game at the Etihad Stadium and Mancini is not fooled by their poor recent form.

The Italian said: "Every time we play against Wolves we have a problem.

"Last year we lost away and here they were down 4-3 and in the last few minutes had a good chance to go 4-4.

"The problem will be if we think we can play not at 100% like (against) United, that we think we can play 50% against Wolves.

"If we don't play serious we can have a problem.

"I think if you don't always play very strong against every team you can take a risk.

"We made 11 changes because we needed to change the players for the game in the Carling Cup.

"Tomorrow will be different and three days after we have a Champions League game, so I am sure we will do seven or eight changes."

Plaudits have poured in for City's fine football this season with some comparisons drawn with the 'Invincibles' Arsenal side which won the Premier League unbeaten in 2004.

Mancini believes it is going too far to speculate about whether his team could repeat the feat of Arsene Wenger's Thierry Henry-inspired Gunners.

Mancini said: "I remember that team was very strong, it was an incredible team.

"I don't think that for us this year. I think we need to improve.

"In this moment we are in form, our feeling is good and it is important to continue to have focus on every game."

Move to Barcelona or Real Madrid? I'd rather stay with Manchester City, says David Silva

David Silva

 

David Silva would prefer to stay with table-topping Manchester City than move to Spanish giants Real Madrid or Barcelona.

Spaniard Silva, 25, has been arguably the Premier League's best player this season and orchestrated the 6-1 derby destruction of United at Old Trafford last week.

He said: "City believed in me and I'm very well here.

"Real Madrid and Barcelona are definitely two great  clubs but I hope to stay in Manchester for many years."

League Cup - Dzeko nets brace as rampant City score five

Edin Dzeko bagged a brace as Manchester City thumped Wolves 5-2 in an entertaining Carling Cup fourth-round clash at Molineux.

Wolves took the lead in the 18th minute through Nenad Milijas, but a stunning trio of strikes inside three minutes from Adam Johnson, Samir Nasri and Dzeko saw City seize control of the tie.
Italian striker Luca Scapuzzi saw a shot deflected in by Wolves goalkeeper Dorus De Vries while Dzeko doubled his tally in the second half as City made it 11 goals in their last two matches to clinch their place in the quarter-finals in convincing fashion, with substitute Jamie O'Hara adding a consolation strike for the hosts.
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini made 11 changes from the side which thrashed Manchester United 6-1 on Sunday, while Wolves manager Mick McCarthy made nine with only Kevin Doyle and Stephen Ward keeping their places from the 2-2 draw with Swansea.
Wolves very nearly took the lead in the 12th minute as Stephen Hunt's devilish delivery from the left was met powerfully by David Edwards, who could only head over the crossbar.
Stefan Savic appeared to be extremely fortunate not to be sent off moments later as he flew in recklessly with a high boot on Edwards, and the referee was very lenient with the defender already on a booking. Wolves' frustration was compounded as Aleksandar Kolarov handled a loose ball inside the City box in the 17th minute, but again the referee was not interested.
But the hosts were ecstatic a minute later as Sam Vokes skipped nonchalantly past the leaden-footed Kolo Toure and cut the ball back to the onrushing Milijas, who planted an emphatic finish into the roof of the net.
George Elokobi prevented a near-certain equaliser with an impeccable last-ditch challenge to prevent City midfielder Abdul Razak from racing into the Wolves box, but an onslaught of immense pressure ensued from the visitors.
The excellent Johnson equalised in the 37th minute with a crisp strike from the edge of the Wolves box after Dzeko had unselfishly laid the ball into his path from Nigel De Jong's cross from the right, and City were just getting started.
Johnson turned provider two minutes later as he picked out Nasri with a glorious pass which scythed through the Wolves back four to leave the Frenchman to beat De Vries with a clinical finish.
The relentless visitors surged forward once more, and the irrepressible Johnson whipped over a pinpoint delivery from the right with Dzeko on hand to turn the ball home from close range after Scapuzzi's initial effort was parried by De Vries.
McCarthy no doubt feared the worst at the break, but it was his side who squandered the first chance to score just seconds into the second half as Hunt ghosted into the City box but inexplicably failed to convert Elokobi's cross from close range.
The ruthless visitors made the Irishman pay for his profligacy two minutes later as Kolarov produced a lung-busting run down the left and cut the ball back for Nasri, whose initial effort was saved by De Vries, only for Scapuzzi to pounce on the rebound with the unfortunate keeper getting the final touch.
Another stunning, sweeping move saw Dzeko play a slick one-two with Nasri before the alert Scapuzzi squared the ball with precision to the Bosnian forward, who slotted home from the six-yard box to double his tally.
If some of the home fans were disappointed at having conceded from that mesmerising move, within seconds they were celebrating as substitute O'Hara raced into the City box and produced a neat finish to convert Ward's cut back and reduce the deficit.
A flurry of late substitutions ensured that the final stages were pretty fragmented, but City consolidated their three-goal cushion and sealed their place in the Carling Cup quarter-finals with consummate ease.

Silva and Milner add guts and guile to fluid Man City

Manchester City assembled grim statistical evidence around the feet of Sir Alex Ferguson like rubble - now Manchester United must piece the wreckage back together swiftly to silence talk of a permanent shift in power.
Ferguson did not hold back his emotions as he reflected on the on what United's manager called "our worst ever day - the worst result in my history, ever."
The last time Ferguson, in September 1989, he revealed he went home and buried his head underneath a pillow for hours on end in a bid to make the pain go away.
Ferguson may not have time to seek a similar remedy this time because the speed of City's advance, illustrated by this complete performance and led by the brilliance of David Silva, means they present a present danger to United's title.

The bullet points were blows to the pride of Ferguson and his humiliated players.
It was United's biggest home defeat since 1955, the first time United had conceded six goals at home since 1930 and their first loss at Old Trafford since April 2010.

City scored six in a Manchester derby for the first time since 1926. Photo: Reuters

Mario Balotelli's goals set the platform for the win, helped by Jonny Evans' red card right after the restart and Sergio Aguero's third gave the scoreline a realistic look.

And if Darren Fletcher's goal gave rise to fantasy about a trademark United comeback, brutal reality was restored with two late goals for substitute Edin Dzeko and a deserved strike for the wonderful Silva.
It was an embarrassment inflicted savagely by the club Ferguson dismissed as "noisy neighbours" as they bang at the door of his Old Trafford domain.
The Scot has fought for supremacy in domestic and European competition, but superiority in the city of Manchester has never been seriously challenged until now.
As United were reduced to chaos in the closing minutes in front of a rapidly-emptying and inappropriately-named "Theatre Of Dreams" the questions came almost as fast as the goals, three scored by City in stoppage time.
Was this the most significant result in recent Premier League history? Was this the day the tide finally turned, not just in Manchester but in England?
The significance of result, and the manner of it, must not be questioned. The backdrop to the derby was framed in the context of Roberto Mancini's approach and whether City had the self-belief to flex their growing muscles on their neighbours while coping with the pressure of leading the Premier League.
Mancini and City had this opportunity to make a statement in the toughest environment of all.
It was duly delivered in the most powerful style possible as 20 minutes of United domination gave way to City turning their full power on Ferguson's team in a way even their most wildly optimistic supporter would not have thought possible.
City are the finest and most talented team in the country at this moment. If anyone needs convincing, study Silva's pass for Dzeko's final goal, a thing of beauty and creation from the best player in the Premier League this season.
This does not mean anyone should be emboldened to make definitive long-term predictions based on one afternoon Ferguson and United will be keen to portray as a freak of footballing nature as opposed to a sign of what is to come.
Ferguson will bring measure and experience to this sudden emergency, as should those preparing to announce the crumbling of an empire on the back of one, shock-inducing, result.

Manchester United slumped to their heaviest defeat in the Premier League. Photo: Reuters

Those getting ready to write United's obituaries would do well to hold back as the rest of the season has the capacity to make fools of them all - but the message sent by City simply cannot be ignored.
Mancini and his players did not just take three points away from Old Trafford. They will have taken great reserves of confidence and a concrete-clad belief that they deserve to be league leaders and have the ability to stay there.
City were superior to United in all parts of the pitch. Mancini does not simply have a better first 11, he now has a bench of such strength that it will see him through the long winter and, he hopes, the expectation that will now increase.
The Italian has a squad rich in ability and numbers. It offers him a flexibility that may prove crucial as the season moves into its vital phases after the turn of the year, when United traditionally exert their own power.
If Ferguson missed a trick in the summer it was not investing in an A-List midfield man to replace the  Paul Scholes.

City already possessed one in Silva and how sobering it must have been for Ferguson to see the player he coveted almost above all others, Samir Nasri, only a substitute after he was stolen from under his nose by Mancini.
For Mancini there was vindication for his methods, the most powerful proof that he is willing to take the shackles off the varied attacking talents he has assembled at such cost.
And this only 24 hours after his predecessor Mark Hughes proved the old adage that the secret of good comedy will always lie in the timing after he chose to question Mancini's "autocratic" style of management. He may have been wishing he had held his tongue as City's team of temperaments mauled United.
One man currently offering compelling evidence in favour of Mancini's management is the maverick young Italian Mario Balotelli, moving from the ridiculous to the sublime with two goals after showing his more chaotic personal side by igniting part of his own house by setting off fireworks.
He set up the headline writer's dream with his Old Trafford encore, but of greater importance was his contribution to the team effort and even the emergence of an ability to laugh at his own occasional accident-prone nature, lifting up his shirt after opening the scoring to reveal a t-shirt emblazoned with the slogan "Why Always Me?"
And in among the many delights for Mancini, there came crucial contributions from some who could almost be called the undercard behind Silva, Balotelli and Aguero.
Micah Richards recovered from early discomfort against Ashley Young to again raise questions about England coach Fabio Capello's apparent determination to ignore him, while James Milner put in the shift of shifts as he moved from box to box with equal influence.
This result may mark a seminal moment in Premier League history if United cannot respond, while City will be tempted to treat this 90 minutes as the moment the revolution fuelled by Abu Dhabi's petro-dollars finally arrived.
Mancini the pragmatist will not allow complacency to take hold. And he will know that if Ferguson did indeed take refuge underneath his pillow on Sunday evening, his every thought will have been occupied on how to make sure this was not the day he handed over the keys of power in Manchester to City.

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini hails in-form Mario Balotelli

 

Mario Balotelli puts City ahead in style

 

Roberto Mancini believes 40 days of hard work by striker Mario Balotelli are paying off after the Italy international helped fire his Manchester City side to a 4-1 win over Aston Villa which sent them top of the Barclays Premier League.

Balotelli has produced two stellar performances for Mancini at a time when he has needed them the most.

With Carlos Tevez sidelined while the club deal with his alleged refusal to play against Bayern Munich, eight-goal Sergio Aguero injured and Edin Dzeko struggling to reproduce his early-season form, Mancini has needed goals.

Balotelli has delivered. He was on target in the 4-0 win at Blackburn prior to the international break, and stole the show against Villa, kicking things off with a sumptuous overhead kick before Adam Johnson, Vincent Kompany and James Milner all chipped in.

The win took City two points clear of Manchester United ahead of next weekend's derby at Old Trafford and Mancini, who has had to carefully manage Balotelli, believes his player is finally getting the message.

"I think Mario is always happy. In this moment, after he was on the bench in the last month, he maybe understood," he said.

"He played well, has scored four goals in a row and works for the team. Mario can change in a moment but I am happy because it is now 40, 50 days (when he has) played and worked well.

"He is motivated because he is playing and scoring. It is important moment for him. I think that for a player on the bench with me it is not easy to watch the game and not play in a team playing well and scoring goals."

On the sidelines with Mancini were key playmaker David Silva, who played the last 20 minutes following his exertions with Spain, Owen Hargreaves, who made his Premier League debut for the club late on, and the unused duo of Dzeko and Samir Nasri.

Although they were all replaced by players most other managers would want, City could make a case for being under-strength today.

They started sluggishly, but were sparked into life by Balotelli's goal and dominated from then on, only conceding when Stephen Warnock snuck in to score while marker Micah Richards hobbled off the field.

"I think that we had a problem in the first 10 and 15 minutes because when all the players came back from the international break, it was difficult to start the game," Mancini added.

"After 15 minutes we played very well, Mario scored a fantastic goal and that changed the game.

"I think we have started the season very well. We know this week will be hard because we play against a strong Villa, against Villarreal which is a crucial game for us in the Champions League, and after we have the derby. I think our mind is very busy."

Man City 4 - 1 Aston Villa

 
Balotelli scored his fourth goal in as many games in all competitions 
 

Manchester City took advantage of Manchester United's draw at Liverpool to move top of the Premier League with a comfortable victory over Aston Villa.

City keeper Joe Hart saved well from Gabriel Agbonlahor early on before Mario Balotelli scored with a superb overhead kick to put his side in front.
A Stephen Warnock error let Adam Johnson slot in and Vincent Kompany then headed home Johnson's corner.

Roberto Mancini delighted to see unbeaten Manchester City top table

Warnock pulled one back but James Milner curled a fine fourth.
The former Villa midfielder refused to celebrate his goal but City's fans certainly did, fully away that it took their team two points clear of local rivals Manchester United at the summit.
By the time this match started, United had already drawn at Anfield in the early kick-off and the pressure was on City to capitalise.
And they did exactly that with a seventh win in eight games this season and an 11th in 12 against previously-unbeaten Villa.
Roberto Mancini left David Silva, Edin Dzeko and Samir Nasri on the bench, so Balotelli was the lone striker in a 4-5-1 formation.

It was an absolute coast for Manchester City. The fourth goal was absolutely brilliant, it was the crowning moment. It was a little embarrassing for Aston Villa at times. I think next Sunday's Manchester derby is going to be an absolute cracker with City going there as top dogs.

That left the hosts - also without the injured Sergio Aguero - looking thin for attacking options early on and they struggled to unpick Villa's well-organised back four.
In fact, Villa should have taken the lead when Agbonlahor shrugged Joleon Lescott aside on the left touchline and burst into the box. Hart spread himself and Warnock's follow-up was deflected wide.
A let-off for City, indeed, but it proved to be Villa's only chance of the half and they were soon punished by Balotelli's brilliance.
The Italian saw one shot skim the post via a Milner flick and another palmed to safety before striking at the third time of asking.
Villa failed to clear a Johnson corner and after the ball was controlled by Micah Richards, Balotelli acrobatically delivered his fourth goal in four games.
City seemed content to sit on their advantage until the break and then pushed on again at the start of the second half.
However, the doubling of their lead was all to do with a woeful piece of Villa defending.

Man City can win title - Alex McLeish

Yaya Toure sent over a hopeful cross-field pass that Warnock attempted to clear with a bicycle kick, only to calamitously set Johnson up for a low finish past Given.
Warnock hung his head in shame but Villa's afternoon swiftly took another turn for the worse as Kompany easily headed home from Johnson's corner.
A momentary lapse of concentration from City gave Villa hope of an unlikely comeback, Agbonlahor's cross finding its way to the back post and Warnock firing in off the bar.
That was the first home goal City had conceded in the Premier League this season, but they were quick to reassert their authority with an excellent fourth.
Milner found Johnson with a majestic cross-field ball, advanced to the edge of the box, took the return pass in his stride and bent home a delightful first-time finish.

True Blue: Joe Hart focused on keeping Manchester City spot

 

Joe Hart on England duty

 

Joe Hart may be one of the most highly rated goalkeepers in world football but his number one priority is clear - staying in the Manchester City team.

Hart played in all eight of England's qualifiers and is hoping to experience his first taste of action at a senior tournament next summer after being part of the 2010 World Cup squad.

But despite his rapid rise, the 24-year-old has lost none of his humility.

After the 2-2 draw with Montenegro he said: "I've really enjoyed it and am proud to be playing at the moment.

"I'm trying to keep up my club form, and stay in that team at Manchester City, and likewise trying to stay in the England team.

"I learned a lot from being at the World Cup, as much as I could from not playing.

"I've been at a few tournaments now, the World Cup was the biggest, but Under-21s championships as well and the experience stands you in good stead.

"You also benefit from being part of nights like those in Montenegro. That is why we play football. Those are the kind of atmospheres you want to get into.

"It is all very well playing in nice stadiums, with everyone clapping but in those crazy atmospheres, where it means everything to the people, it really brings out the passion in yourself."

Hart added: "We're a good team, we're a good football nation, we have to be at tournaments like the Euros.

"We will go into the tournament feeling very confident and we're hoping for a successful campaign."

Corinthians cool interest in signing Carlos Tevez from Manchester City

 
Tevez has scored 53 goals in 91 appearances for Manchester City 
 

Corinthians have no plans to renew their interest in Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez, their general manager Edu has told BBC Sport.

Tevez was the subject of a £35m bid from the Brazilian club in July but they ran out of time to seal the deal.
The 27-year-old is currently suspended while City investigate his alleged refusal to play against Bayern Munich.
"At the moment there are no plans to try and sign him again," said former Arsenal and Brazil midfielder Edu.
"I'm starting to think about our new squad for 2012 and I've talked to our coach [Tite] about what we need - but Tevez was not mentioned.
"We are always interested in world-class players like Carlos but you need to analyse if it's right for you at that time to try to sign him or not. We have not spoken to him or his agent."

 

As things stand, we have not considered going for Tevez

Edu Corinthians general manager

 

Edu was in London as part of a trip to Europe aimed at working on deals for new players and building the Corinthians brand overseas.
He attended the Leaders in Football conference on Wednesday and Thursday, where a number of City officials and Tevez's adviser Kia Joorabchian were also present.
"As things stand, we have not considered going for Tevez," said the 33-year-old, who scored 15 goals in 127 appearances for Arsenal between 2001 and 2005.
"On Wednesday I spoke to our club president [Andres Sanchez] to see if he wanted me to make contact and start negotiations while I'm over in Europe but he said no, it's up to you to decide.
"Of course, that could change. It's nice to be over here to see the real situation of Tevez and speak to people about him. Then we can start to decide if it's right for us to try again."
Edu blamed the collapse of Corinthians' summer move for Tevez, who played for them for two years before joining West Ham in 2006, on a lack of time to complete a deal before the Brazilian transfer window closed at 0400 BST on 21 July.

Tevez was mistranslated - Joorabchian

"I was talking to Manchester City in July and we tried to buy him for 40m euros but the negotiations were not easy," he stated.
"We needed to arrange bank guarantees and other things. To organise all of that in two or three days was very difficult. That's why we lost him."
City are still looking into Tevez's behaviour during their 2-0 defeat by Bayern on 27 September, with the Argentine international expected back for training on 13 October.
"It is very strange for me to hear that he refused to come on," commented Edu. "Every player knows that sometimes you have to be on bench, you work for the team whether you're playing or not.
"They pay him to work for the team whether he plays or not. I was a player and I can understand that sometimes it doesn't feel good to be on the bench, but if he decided not to play that was a very bad decision."

Roberto Mancini backs 'good men' of Manchester City

 

Roberto Mancini

 

Roberto Mancini insists that his squad of ‘good men’ will bring sustained success to Manchester City.

Mancini’s patience has been sorely tested by the controversy surrounding Carlos Tevez over the last couple of weeks.

The manager has not been allowed to comment publicly on Tevez during the club’s internal investigations into the striker’s alleged behaviour.

But Mancini is convinced that his squad has the talent and mental strength to ensure it does not become a distraction.

City’s thumping 4-0 win at Blackburn before the international break kept them level on points with neighbours United at the top of the Premier League.

Mancini wants the Blues to maintain their great league start when unbeaten Aston Villa ­– and Shay Given – come to the Etihad Stadium next Saturday.

And he is convinced that, whatever City’s fate in the league this season, he has the players to keep the trophies coming after last season’s FA Cup triumph.

”When you build a new team, it is important to have good players, and also to have good men," the manager said.

"With these good men, you can build a strong team for the future.

“This is very important. And when you have good men, you can still lose sometimes, but in the end you will reach your target. I have them here. I am sure of this.”

Manchester City target Neymar urged to hit the big time by Ronaldo

 

HOT PROPERTY: Neymar

 

Former Brazil striker Ronaldo has advised rumoured Manchester City target Neymar to try his luck in Europe.

The 19-year-old was linked with a move to City in the summer along with Spanish powerhouses Real Madrid Barcelona - but has repeatedly stated his commitment to his current club Santos.

However, with Blues striker Carlos Tevez' future uncertain, City might feel they need re-inforcements in January.

Ronaldo, who played for both Madrid and Barca, as well as AC Milan and Inter Milan in a glittering career, is adamant, however, that Neymar needs to leave for Europe to fulfil his vast potential.

"Leaving aside selflessness and patriotism, Neymar has to look at the things which will help him conquer the world," Ronaldo told ESPN.

"If he can play in Europe the way he does in Brazil, very soon he would be the best player in the world."

Ronaldo made a similar journey as a 17-year-old in 1994, swapping Cruzeiro for PSV Eindhoven, and very quickly developed into the most feared striker on the planet.

If consulted, the 35-year-old, who retired in February, would be clear in his advice.

"I cannot decide for him," he added. "But it is clear that if Neymar came to me for advice I would say the best thing is to go to Europe and choose the best team for him.

"I hope Neymar is intelligent and is not just limited to Brazil."

Andy Mitten: Manchester derby is the match the football world is waiting for

xt

 

Roberto Mancini and Sir Alex Ferguson

 

Barca v Real Madrid, Milan v Inter or United against Arsenal, Chelsea or Liverpool have been the games which appealed to a global audience.

But the Manchester derby is ascendant and the eyes of the football world will turn on the city for the first league derby of the season on October 23.

FourFourTwo magazine have United and City on the cover for the first time. The magazine has spoken to several players from both clubs for their new edition, which comes out tomorrow, and all are aware of the importance of the derby.

“All derbies are a difficult proposition, because it is a battle for the city,” said Sergio Aguero. “If you win, you win the city. Almost as soon as you are out of the ground, on the streets, you see a United fan and they remind you.

“It is a game the fans feel more than any other, and you must win so they can go out in the streets without being taunted. You cannot win all the time, of course, but losing is difficult.

“It is the same in Argentina, where I played in the derbies between Independiente and Racing. That’s a spicy one. It is the same here, but the fans behave differently.”

Aguero was on the winning side in all three Avellaneda derbies in Buenos Aires.

“I played Racing three times and won three times,” he said. “Hopefully here it will be the same! The best goal I ever scored was against Racing – and because it was in a derby, of course it meant more. If I could score a goal like that against United it would be beautiful.”

Asked whether finishing above United will win a league title, City manager Roberto Mancini said: “I think so, for sure! United began winning many years ago and they have a winning mentality so it is not easy to match them and be on their level so quickly. They’re one of the best teams in the world, but we have a good team as well.”

Several of the United and City players know each other well.

“I know Micah [Richards] best from England’s under-21s and I’ve been with England alongside Lescott, Johnson, Barry and Joe Hart,” said Tom Cleverley.

“There’s a lot of United and City players with England and the Community Shield got brought up. They were saying that we didn’t batter them, whereas we explained quite clearly that we did. It was a great game, really exciting, and I’m sure it will be the same again when we play them in the league.”

Asked if it’s a good thing for the City and United that your closest rivals are now your nearest neighbours, Cleverley added: “It’s good for Manchester and the Manchester derby, which was one-sided for a long time. City have made good signings and they’re playing well. There will be a bigger than normal build-up around the derby. City are rivals, but you can’t count Chelsea out either.”

United captain Nemanja Vidic added: “It is maybe going to be one of the most important games for us in the next few years. There is more pressure when you play against them now. Derbies are about the fans: it is them who have to go into work tomorrow and see the other fans, and it is them who get texts straight after the game, with a joke about United players or City players.”

And new signing Ashley Young is already realising what the derby is all about.

Within a few weeks of being around the city I got to feel the rivalry,” he said. “You get to feel it around the training ground, from the staff and the players too. City have started really well this season and, I’m looking forward to playing them. Having been involved in Villa v Blues, I know they are fiery games.”

Asked if United have a point to prove because City have spent millions, Young added: “I think they’re the ones who have a point to prove. We are the champions, we won the Community Shield, we have the history.

“It’s them who want to get one over on us but the red side of Manchester is still the biggest! The Manchester clubs have started on fire, which is why the spotlight is on us,  but it’s too early to be speaking about titles.”

Owen Hargreaves is set to make Premier League bow with Manchester City

 

Owen Hargreaves in action during the Carling Cup

 

Owen Hargreaves is ready to give City a Premier League boost when they take on Aston Villa next week.

The midfielder is expected to be included in Roberto Mancini’s squad for the Etihad Stadium clash, the first time he will have been involved for a league fixture.

The Blues organised a behind-closed-doors match for Hargreaves last month, and he played the full 90 minutes. And he marked his City debut with a stunning goal in the Carling Cup win over Birmingham.

During the international break, City plan to put on two more private games to help Hargreaves, who has not played a full competitive match for more than three years, get up to match fitness.

Hargreaves’ progress is being carefully monitored by England boss Fabio Capello with an eye to playing him in Euro 2012 if they qualify with a point in
Montenegro on Friday night.

City tactical coach David Platt said the 30-year-old is progressing very well.

“He’s in good shape,” said Platt. “When the boys get back from the international break, Owen should be there or thereabouts with his own full pre-season under him.”

The Blues’ injury problems in midfield are easing with Nigel de Jong expected to be fully fit after joining up with Holland, while James Milner is over his rib injury.

Meanwhile, Carlos Tevez was tight-lipped as he arrived in Buenos Aires for a break after being quizzed by City officials over his alleged refusal to play against Bayern Munich.

The Argentinian striker was spotted boarding an Air France flight to Paris on Monday night, hours after he was interviewed by the Blues.

A source close to the player claimed he was heading for a holiday in Europe, but that was a smokescreen as Tevez met his family in Paris and caught a connecting flight to Argentina.

The trip to Buenos Aires does not contravene the two-week suspension which the club imposed on him and Tevez has apparently given assurances that he will return to Manchester by October 13.

Azzurri attack: Manchester City star Mario Balotelli in Italy thoughts

 

IMPRESSIVE FORM: Mario Balotelli

 

Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli's impressive form for the Blues could have won him a starting spot for Italy against Serbia on Friday.

Italy have already secured their place in next year's European Championship finals but coach Cesare Prandelli is demanding no let-up from his side heading into their final two qualifying matches.

The Azzurri are guaranteed to finish top of Group C as they boast an eight-point lead over nearest challengers Serbia, who they face in their penultimate qualifier in Belgrade on Friday before then completing their campaign four days later against Northern Ireland in Pescara.

"I haven't thought of the line-up yet," Prandelli said. "In the next couple of days we will test a few things and the partnership of Balotelli and (AC Milan forward Antonio) Cassano could be a possibility."

Man City's Carlos Tevez should be banned if he refused to play - Fifa boss

 

Boyce took the role of vice-president in June after the departure of Jack Warner 

 

Carlos Tevez should be banned from football if it is proven that the Manchester City striker refused to play against Bayern Munich on Tuesday, says Fifa vice-president Jim Boyce.

"I think what happened was despicable," said Boyce, a former president of the Irish Football Association.
"I believe Fifa should have the power to ban the player from taking an active part in football."
City have suspended the Argentine for two weeks pending an investigation.
City boss Roberto Mancini said he felt Tevez could never play for the club again after claiming the Argentine had refused to come on as a substitute in the Champions League group match.
But the player, who has been unhappy with his lack of playing time in recent weeks, feels his row with Mancini was about warming up and not a refusal to play.

Boyce, who was speaking in a personal capacity, told Sky Sports: "If he has done what has been said, then I think his club would be better off without him."
"If Manchester City prove it, write to Fifa and state the exact circumstances that happened, I would have no problem with that whatsoever.
"If this player did what he has been accused of doing, then if Manchester City were to release him I don't think it would be right if he could go and earn a considerable amount of money somewhere else next week.
"I would have no problems if some sanctions were imposed by Fifa in that respect.
"People within the clubs and within the top level of Fifa have to consider that if Carlos Tevez does it, who's to stop someone else doing it the next week or the week after?"

Blackburn 0 - 4 Man City

Steve Kean's side suffered their worst home defeat in three years

Manchester City put the Carlos Tevez saga behind them with a classy victory at Blackburn that keeps them level on points with leaders Manchester United.

City lost Sergio Aguero to a groin injury in a forgettable first half but they found top form in the second.
Mario Balotelli hit a post before Adam Johnson struck with a magnificent curling effort into the top corner.
Balotelli volleyed home, Samir Nasri hit a deflected third and Stefan Savic headed in to confirm Blackburn's woe.
Rovers are now second-bottom of the Premier League table with four points from seven games and a goal difference of -9.

DID YOU KNOW...

Manchester City have taken 25 of a possible 27 points in their last nine Premier League matches.

A number of their fans staged a sit-in protest at full-time to demand the dismissal of manager Steve Kean, who will meet with the club's owners when he takes his squad to India next week.
Life looks considerably brighter for City, who join United on 19 points with a goal difference only one inferior to their rivals' 19.
Their preparations were overshadowed by the fall-out from Tuesday's 2-0 defeat at Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
Tevez was suspended for allegedly refusing to come on as a substitute while Edin Dzeko apologised to boss Roberto Mancini after reacting angrily to being replaced.
Before the trip to Ewood Park, Mancini stated "I'm the manager, I'm in control" and he made six changes to his starting line-up - with Dzeko among those making way.

City carried little threat in the early stages and when they did work an opportunity on 10 minutes, Dzeko's replacement Balotelli shot wastefully over the bar

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The home fans called for Kean's dismissal and staged a sit-in protest

Apart from a perfectly-timed James Milner tackle that denied Blackburn striker Yakubu, City dominated possession but created little in the way of meaningful chances.
And their cause was not helped when Sergio Aguero limped off with a groin injury.
However, City responded positively as Balotelli curled narrowly wide and turned Pablo Zabaleta's low cross into the side-netting.
Blackburn offered nothing going forward in the opening period and that continued after the break, encouraging City to flood forward.
The visitors began to hold a much higher line, passing and moving with greater urgency, and their reward was forthcoming.
A David Silva shot was deflected just wide and Balotelli struck the woodwork before Johnson fired into the top corner after Blackburn failed to clear a corner.
Mancini's men were suddenly buzzing and three minutes later they doubled their lead, Balotelli getting in front of Scott Dann to volley Nasri's cross past Paul Robinson.

 

Man City back to winning ways - David Platt

Nasri then got in on the act, rounding off a counter-attack with a drilled finish that deflected off Jason Lowe.
Blackburn came close to pulling one back - Morten Gamst Pedersen almost scored direct from a corner and Yakubu shot wide.
But an unmarked Savic nodded his first goal for City to complete the rout and the final whistle brought boos from the home crowd.