MANCHESTER DERBY NEWS

Mancini confident ahead of derby

By ESPNsoccernet staff

November 9, 2010

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Roberto Mancini says Manchester City are simply targeting a Champions League spot this season but believes his side can now assert their superiority over Manchester United.

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Roberto Mancini feels City can prove their credentials on Wednesday

City recovered from a run of three defeats in all competitions by beating West Brom on Sunday, but they will face a significant test of their credentials when they host United in the Premier League on Wednesday.
The visitors are on a run of six consecutive victories going into the game, but Mancini is confident City can send a message at Eastlands.
"We have respect for United, and respect for Fergie because he's the top manager in the world, but we can be better than them always now," he said.
"I think that the Premier League is very long, very difficult. It is important for us to stay in first, second, third position. I think Chelsea will win the Premier League, but all the other teams near them can try.
"In my opinion, Chelsea is better than the other teams. Our target must be the Champions League, but we will be there near Chelsea, near United, in January. We will have a chance."
Sir Alex Ferguson knows City's spending power means they have the capability to keep adding to the squad, but he feels that may not lead to title success.
"If clubs have money and want to spend it, they will," Ferguson said. "Chelsea did the same; so did Sunderland back in the 1950s. It is not an unusual thing. It is a fact of life.
"The only difference is that City is an untapped well at the moment, but it is difficult to say whether it is inevitable they are going to win the league at some point.
"Obviously, in many people's eyes, having the money is a lot better than not having it, but it is still a difficult league to win. City recognise that themselves."
City have announced that they no longer plan to keep spending, though, and Mancini responded to Ferguson's comments by saying "the situation changed".