Mancini, Ferguson discuss cup clash

Roberto Mancini has warned his Manchester City players to beware an "angry" Manchester United when two rivals square off in the FA Cup third round on Sunday. City inflicted a humiliating 6-1 defeat on United when the the clubs met in the Premier League at Old Trafford in October - a result Sir Alex Ferguson later described as his "worst-ever day".

The Red Devils go into the forthcoming encounter at the Etihad Stadium on the back of consecutive defeats that have allowed City to open up a three-point lead at the top of the table heading into the second half of the season. While an early FA Cup exit for United could give holders City a valuable psychological edge over their fierce enemies, Mancini has warned his men to expect a ferocious response from Ferguson's team.

The Italian said: "Derbies are always difficult, and maybe this one will be even harder because United are angry after these two defeats and because we beat them at Old Trafford earlier in the season. There are a lot of issues in this game. Two defeats in a row does not happen to them very often.

"But one thing is certain: they have a strong mentality and always react positively after a defeat. Remember, after losing to us in the league they strung together seven wins and a draw. They have some injuries at the moment, but they are still a strong team with good players. That is why they are always dangerous."

Ferguson amazed by drought
United, without an FA Cup triumph since 2004, have plenty to think about. However, Ferguson maintains he will not be discussing the 6-1 loss with his players.

"I won't be mentioning that," said the Scot. "I always say that in the FA Cup I would take anyone in a home draw, and so the advantage is with City in that respect. But it's a cup tie, a local derby, and anything can happen in these games.

"It's amazing that we haven't won [since 2004). It's not a motivating force but it may be for the players that haven't got medals, particularly Rio Ferdinand. Rio mentioned that to me last year, that he doesn't have an FA Cup medal, and I couldn't believe that because of the amount of time he's been with the club."

After seeing his team lose ground in the Premier League title race with consecutive defeats by Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United, Ferguson is confident of a response from United. He also feels that the English champions' experience will prove crucial in the final weeks of the campaign.

"At the moment that's obvious, because we've won the title so many times," Ferguson said. "I think from the players on the field, Tottenham are not short on experienced players and neither are City.

"That may help them and it could help them, but if questions are being asked about us at the moment, it's only because we've had two bad results. Only a couple of weeks ago everyone was talking about how our experience was going to be important in the run-in, and I think it will be."

Injury issues for both sides
United still have a lengthy injury list, with defender Chris Smalling set to return to training on Monday following tonsillitis. Jonny Evans, Nemanja Vidic, Darren Fletcher, Tom Cleverley, Ashley Young, Michael Owen and Fabio da Silva are all on the sidelines with injury.

City have their own problems, however, with Gareth Barry suspended, Yaya Toure and Kolo Toure heading off to the CAF Africa Cup of Nations, and Mario Balotelli, Edin Dzeko and Samir Nasri struggling for fitness.

Even though City are desperate to secure a first league title since 1968, Mancini is determined to match last season's achievement of lifting the FA Cup. The former Italy forward said: "It's the FA Cup and it's important for us. We won last year and want to get to the final if possible.

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Mancini laments loss, Gerrard eyes City test

Roberto Mancini has warned his Manchester City side they need to understand there is more to football than attack after being caught out in a 1-0 defeat at Sunderland. The Premier League leaders dominated possession but, as they piled forward in search of a winner, the Black Cats broke and snatched victory through Ji Dong Won's last-gasp goal.

City's loss was compounded by the knowledge that a win at the Stadium of Light would have put them three points clear of Manchester United, who were surprisingly beaten 3-2 at home to Blackburn Rovers on Saturday. City face sixth-placed Liverpool, fresh from a 3-1 win over Newcastle United, at Eastlands tomorrow, and Mancini doesn't want them to make the same mistake twice in a row.

"I know football and for this reason, in the last 15 minutes I almost lost my voice shouting at the defence to hold their line and concentrate because of the danger Sunderland posed on the break," the Italian said. "We seemed to want to attack with ten players, and to do that is impossible.

"I don't know how many chances we had, but I'm not worried about not scoring in the last couple of games (City were held to a goalless draw by West Bromwich Albion in their previous outing on Boxing Day), but what I'm worried about is having players on the pitch who understand the situation when we're vulnerable to a counter-attack.

"We need to improve in this situation. We had chances to score but sometimes when you can't win a game, you make sure you don't lose it."

Mancini, who rested striker Mario Balotelli against Sunderland, added: "I hope it won't be difficult to pick the players up for the Liverpool game. This game is finished and we move on to the next game."

Sunderland have lost just one of their opening five matches under new manager Martin O'Neill, who was appointed after the sacking of Steve Bruce last month, and their win over City took them six points clear of the relegation zone.

"For us to win the game is extraordinary," said the former Celtic and Aston Villa manager. "City were camped outside our penalty area for the last 20 minutes, so for us to get players up in support when we broke was unbelievable. I feel for City now, even with their squad. They play Liverpool, who have had a day-and-a-half extra to rest up."

Gerrard relishing Etihad examination
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is in line for his first league start since 22 October. It follows the England international's impressive performance against Newcastle on Friday. Gerrard, who has missed a large part of the season due to an ankle infection, scored after coming off the bench to seal a 3-1 win.

The influential midfielder is relishing the opportunity of facing City in what is the first of three games against them in January, with a two-legged League Cup semi-final also on the horizon.

"Bring it on," said Gerrard. "They are a fantastic team who have started the season really well, but we've got nothing to fear. These are exciting games, we don't fear these. These are the games that, as a player, you want to play in. I can't wait."

Liverpool's form away from Anfield has been impressive this season, with Kenny Dalglish's side winning at Chelsea twice, as well as at Arsenal and Everton.

Gerrard said: "It's at home that we haven't got the results our football has deserved, but we will go to City full of confidence. We will give it our best shot and see where it takes us."

"For me personally, 2011 has been an absolute nightmare, but for the team it was great to finish it on a high. Now we need to push on, keep building and putting up a good fight for the top four."

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Mancini: Cup triumph helped City

Manchester City put their first piece of silverware on the line on Sunday, with manager Roberto Mancini insisting it provided the impetus for this season's assault on the Premier League title.

It has been an amazing season for the Blues so far, capped by their staggering 6-1 away win over Manchester United at Old Trafford in October.

They reached the end of the festive programme three points clear of United and well placed to end the season as champions for the first time since 1968.

However, as Sir Alex Ferguson brings his players to the blue half of a divided city for an eagerly-anticipated FA Cup third-round tie, Mancini acknowledges what a boost lifting the trophy last season gave everyone at the Etihad Stadium.

United were accounted for in a Wembley semi-final before City returned to defeat Stoke City and end a trophy drought that extended to 35 years. "It was really important for the club," said Mancini.

"When you build a new team you have to start to win very quickly. If you get one cup, in that moment you can understand if you work hard and win the FA Cup, you can win the championship."

However, Mancini is dubious about the effect this weekend's result will have on the Premier League scrap, beyond the desire to retain the trophy. "The FA Cup is important for us," he said.

"We won it last year and want to go in the final again if it is possible. It is a difficult game. It is a derby. It is harder because they are angry after two defeats and they are usually very strong after a defeat. But it is not important for the Premier League, other than maybe physiologically."

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