Mancini encourages his team

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has stated that his side want to win both the Europa League and the Premier League, and has berated the team’s injury woes.

The Etihad Stadium outfit slipped off top spot at the weekend after their 1-0 defeat to Swansea, but the Italian manager still feels that his men are very much in the title race.

“The title is long, but clearly, at this moment, United’s confidence is better. But what is important is to be there at the end, and this is what we want,” he told Mirror Football.

“We have two problems – the injuries to key players, such as Vincent Kompany and Joleon Lescott, and the fact we play every three days,” he admitted.

Many City fans would happily sacrifice the Europa League to concentrate on domestic affairs, but Mancini will not belittle the European tournament.

“I understand this, but we want to try to win both competitions,” he continued.

Finally, Mancini also admitted that he had team selection headaches ahead of Thursday night’s clash with Sporting Lisbon, in what has been a gruelling fixture schedule for City.

“If I play with a full team, it’s a problem. If I don’t play with a full team, it’s a problem.

“At this moment, everything is a problem, but I didn’t know Kompany and Lescott would get injured in that game.

“It’s normal that after seven months with you playing every three days, that you need to give some players a rest,” he concluded.