Mancini: We played much better than Manchester United despite loss

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has claimed his team are still superior to rivals United and has revealed he will not sell Mario Balotelli in the forseeable future. 

Mancini and his players are still reeling from Sunday's dramatic derby defeat at home to United and now trail their rivals by six points in the Barclays Premier League. 

However, Mancini told a function in Italy that he still believes his team to be better than that from the red half of town.

He said: 'United have more experience but we have a much better team and play much better football.' 

Mancini's relationship with young striker Balotelli is under the microscope again this week after he substituted the 22-year-old after 50 minutes on Sunday. 

It seems, though, that Mancini is prepared to keep faith in the enigmatic forward. He added: 'We are waiting for the moment he becomes aware of his talent. That is why he is not for sale.' 

Mancini would like to sign Roma playmaker Daniele De Rossi this January but, even though the Italian international has fallen out with his club, City are unlikely to lure him to England. 

Mancini said: 'I don't believe he will leave at this point.' 

Meanwhile, the Manchester City supporter who ran on to the pitch to confront Rio Ferdinand has issued a grovelling apology for his action during a tumultuous derby on Sunday afternoon. 

Matthew Stott, 21, was restrained by Blues keeper Joe Hart and then arrested after he raced onto the Etihad Stadium pitch following Robin van Persie's stunning late winner. 

He has since been charged with pitch encroachment and has released a statement through his solicitors. In the meantime, City have removed his season ticket with immediate effect and he will be banned from the stadium for life if found guilty in court of a charge of pitch encroachment.

In the statement, the landscape gardener, from Knutsford, said: 'I would like to apologise to all those affected by my actions yesterday, particularly Mr Ferdinand and the other players. I am extremely ashamed of my actions. I have let myself down, my family down, my fellow fans down and Manchester City Football Club. 

'I intend to write personally to Mr Ferdinand to express my extreme regret and apologies and also apologise to Manchester United and their fans. I would like to thank Joe Hart for his actions when I came on the pitch.' 

'I have been a fan of Manchester City Football club all my life and I have been a season ticket holder for three years and I attend the games with my father. I have had the same seat in the section next to the away fans for those three years.' 

-->

-->

Source: DailyMail