Roberto Mancini optimistic about Manchester City’s future as Wayne Rooney makes his return for United
Manchester City’s manager Roberto Mancini is optimistic that his side will secure a Champions League’s berth and a trophy before the end of the ongoing season which will prove his managerial credentials and repel his doubters.
Mancini will be facing Mark Hughes’ Fulham in his team’s next Premiership encounter as he prepares to pile more pressure on leaders and defending champions, Chelsea. Pundits are tipping this match as a trial for the Italian because it will be the first time
City will face Hughes since his unceremonious departure from Manchester last year. Statistically, Mancini’s team is in no different position from Hughes’ City of last year as both secured equal numbers of points from their first 13 games. The only difference
is that this year Blues have successfully established themselves in the top four. Another difference is the amount of capital invested by the Arab owners during the Italian’s tenure. And with such momentous money injected, expectations from Mancini are natural.
Mancini is optimistic that his team will deliver. Talking to reporters, he said, “We are in fourth position, three points behind United but we must check at the end of the season. At the end of the season, I think we will get into the Champions League and
probably we will win something. This is my opinion because I believe we have improved a lot.”
On the other hand, Hughes will be fully motivated to settle the score with his previous owners who were instrumental in Welshman’s bitter exit. Commenting on it, Mancini stated, “I don't know if Mark Hughes has a point to prove but Sunday is Fulham against
Manchester City, not Mancini against Hughes. Maybe it means more, I don't know. But I am sure they always try to win, whether they play against Manchester City or Newcastle, who they played last Saturday.”
Mancini was handed over City’s reins last year in mysterious circumstances where he was accused of talking with City’s management even before there was a vacancy. Mancini’s arrival was welcomed with the players’ revolt which was led by the then striker Craig
Bellamy. Mancini will be clearly under more pressure than his Fulham counterpart as the set of expectations at both clubs is strikingly different. The financial muscle which City exhibited in the transfer market puts more pressure on the former Inter Milan
boss.
Commenting on it, Mancini said, “I am not saying we will achieve things because I want to keep my job. I am saying it because I know my job and I know my squad. We are fourth now and the best is yet to come. We beat Liverpool and Chelsea and didn't give
them any chances. We didn't give Manchester United any chances.”
Mancini will be missing some of his key players for this crunch game. Disreputable striker Mario Balotelli will be out as he will be serving his three-match ban. Similarly, England duo of Joleon Lescott and Micah Richards is also doubtful for the fixture.
Goalkeeper Joe Hart’s inclusion is yet to be confirmed.
Meanwhile, Sir Alex Ferguson is relishing the return of his ace striker Wayne Rooney after the English international made his comeback against Wigan. Rooney was out for a month following an ankle injury which he picked last month. This injury coincided with
his desire to move from Old Trafford from which he later backtracked. United won 6 games in Rooney’s absence but poor performances against Manchester City and Aston outlined the importance of Rooney in Ferguson’s squad. Rooney’s return will provide Red Devils
with the much-needed boost.
Rooney will return to Old Trafford after spending some time in the Nike training facility at their World Headquarters in Portland, Oregon. He is expected to start full time for his team in United’s Champions League match against Rangers.
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