City players told to drown their sorrows after Roo's wonder winner
Roberto Mancini told his Manchester City stars to have a drink after they were sunk by Wayne Rooney’s wonder goal.
And the City boss claimed his side had proved they are now “very close” to Manchester United, despite suffering another agonising 2-1 defeat at the hands of Sir Alex Ferguson.
“I told the players to go home and have a drink,” said Mancini. “They should be disappointed by the result, but not by the performance. We are very close to United now, very close.”
To emphasise his point, Mancini, standing in an Old Trafford corridor afterwards, held his right thumb and forefinger close together to indicate the gap he now felt divided the two sides.
“In the five derbies I have been involved in, there is only one time when we didn’t deserve to win,” said Mancini.
“And again, we didn’t deserve to lose this one. But United are this much ahead [holds two fingers narrowly apart] of us and the other teams. Just by this much. It’s very close.
“We should improve. I have been saying this for six months but, if we come here and play like this against United, then we will be OK. I am very proud of my players and I have told them this. I think we have the right character.
“After we equalised, I thought we could go on and win. United didn’t play well in the second-half but Rooney’s goal changed the game. This is the mentality that comes when you have been winning things for a long time.
“We can change this though, because we have changed a lot and improved a lot as a team. I think we need to win one cup or one title because, if we do, then we can change the whole mentality of the team.”
Vincent Kompany, outstanding for City, was left to rue Rooney’s match-winning moment of brilliance in the 78th minute.
“It took something special for United to win but that happens,” said Kompany. “I’m bitterly disappointed.
“But I kind of had to smile to myself when I came into the dressing room because I gave him [Rooney] nothing during the whole game and then he goes and does that.”
'I was speechless for about five seconds' - Manchester City defender Micah Richards hails Wayne Rooney's derby-winning goal
Right-back says goal proves why United did everything to keep him
Micah Richards has hailed Wayne Rooney's breathtaking effort to score the winner in the Manchester derby on Saturday, which saw Sir Alex Ferguson's men win 2-1 at Old Trafford.
The game was locked at 1-1 until the former Everton hitman produced an acrobatic overhead kick to put his side into the lead, and the goal turned out to be the winner.
And Richards also believes that goals like these are the reason why the Red Devils agreed to hand the player a heavy pay packet when he threatened to leave the club earlier in the season.
"To be honest, when he was up there I was thinking 'What's he doing?' Then when the ball went in the net, I was speechless for about five seconds," said the City defender.
"It was an incredible goal. That's what he can produce and why United did everything to keep him."
City now take on Greek side Aris in the Europa League.
Wayne Rooney writes off Manchester City title hopes
Wayne Rooney believes the "best" goal of his career has ended Manchester City's hopes of winning the Barclays Premier League title this season.
The England man's delightful second-half overhead kick settled a pulsating Manchester derby in United's favour, putting the Old Trafford club eight points ahead of their rivals.
"That is my best goal. It was such an important game and to score the winning goal in that way was a great feeling - indescribable," Rooney said.
"I have seen it again. I was just trying to keep my eye on the ball and to get a good connection. Luckily it went into the top corner.
"It is a significant result and almost certainly rules City out of the title race unless a disaster happens."
Redknapp praises "brilliant" Kompany
Jamie Redknapp believes Manchester City defender Vincent Kompany was extremely unlucky to be on the losing side during their 2-1 defeat to Premier League leaders Manchester United at the weekend, because the towering Belgian international was imperious prior to the stunning goal that decided the game.
Kompany has been one of Roberto Mancini’s most consistent performers this season and arguably the Premier League’s most impressive centre-half alongside Manchester United’s Nemanja Vidic, and Redknapp suggests the former had all but marshalled Wayne Rooney out of the match at Old Trafford until the England international’s mesmeric intervention.
Redknapp told the Daily Mail: “Vincent Kompany was quite brilliant in the derby for City and did not deserve to lose the game.
“He bossed Rooney for much of the game, but was caught out by a deflection that altered the flight of the ball.
“Even as the cross drifted over him, he would have thought: it's OK, it's behind Rooney, he has his back to goal. We know what happened next.”
OTHER BOLLOX
Liverpool are plotting a move for Newcastle left-back Jose Enrique, who was watched by Reds director of football strategy Damien Comolli in Saturday's draw with Blackburn.
Full story: Daily Mirror
New West Brom manager Roy Hodgson is set to recall striker Ishmael Miller from his loan spell at Queens Park Rangers. Daily Mirror
Three-time Fifa World Player of the Year Ronaldo is set to announce his retirement from the game. "I wanted to continue but I can't," Corinthians' 34-year-old former Brazil international is quoted in a Brazilian newspaper. "I think about making a play but I can't execute it." (AP)
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti is giving serious consideration to dropping striker Didier Drogba for Monday's Premier League trip to Fulham. Daily Mail
Ancelotti has warned Blues captain John Terry that he should no longer expect to play in every match. Daily Mail
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp is set to take a big risk on Gareth Bale, Luka Modric and Rafael van der Vaart by flying the injured midfield trio out for Tuesday's Champions League meeting with AC Milan. Daily Mirror
Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas has urged his team-mates to play "with no fear" when they host "the best team in the world", Barcelona, in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday. Daily Telegraph
Fabregas's midfield club-mate Jack Wilshere has suggested the Gunners must "get in the faces" of Barca and "be a bit nasty" if they are to gain an advantage at the Emirates Stadium. the Guardian
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola, meanwhile, cancelled his side's scheduled Sunday training session because his players were too tired. Daily Mail
Jermaine Pennant says his move to Stoke cost him a £406 parking ticket. The winger sealed a loan move to the Potters from Real Zaragoza on transfer deadline day last summer, leaving his Porsche at a Spanish train station for three weeks after dashing to England to sign. Daily Mirror
Manchester United make Gareth Bale their key summer target but the Old Trafford club will have to pay Tottenham £40m for the 21-year-old. Sunday Mirror
The Red Cunts will also return with a summer bid for Aston Villa's Ashley Young after failing with an offer in January. Sunday Mirror
Manchester United are poised to edge out Arsenal in the £10m race to sign Southampton's 17-year-old forward Alex Oxdale-Chamberlain. Sunday Express
Newcastle want Ipswich's 17-year-old striker Connor Wickham as a replacement for Andy Carroll. News of the World
Chelsea face a battle with AC Milan in their bid to sign Ajax defender Gregory van der Wiel, who is also coveted by Manchester United and Barcelona. Sunday Mirror
Arsenal will stick to their guns and demand £80m from Real Madrid for their midfielder Cesc Fabregas. The People
Juventus are poised to make a £5m move for Tottenham defender Alan Hutton.The People
West Ham are trying to send Benni McCarthy, 33, out on loan - and will pay more than 80% of his £60,000-a-week salary. The People
Former Bolton, Newcastle and Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce is being lined up to take over as manager of the Qatar national team. News of the World (Subscription required)
Chelsea could attempt to poach chief scout Steve Rowley from Premier League rivals Arsenal and are looking to ex-Ajax coach Marco van Basten should manager Carlo Ancelotti leave in the summer. Mail on Sunday
Chelsea sporting director Frank Arnesen is being headhunted by three clubs and could quit Stamford Bridge in the next fortnight.The People
The 2013 FA Cup final will kick off at 1730 BST, instead of the more traditional 1500 BST, to satisfy demands from broadcasters, and as part of the biggest overhaul in the competition's 140-year history. The People
Crawley Town's 26-year-old captain Pablo Mills, whose non-league side play Manchester United in the FA Cup on 19 February, admits that the last time he visited Old Trafford it was on a stadium tour with his mum and brothers.Sunday Mirror
Everton skipper Phil Neville's principles stopped him from pursuing a move to Tottenham when manager Harry Redknapp came in for him in the January transfer window. Sunday Mirror
West Ham are expected to receive final approval as preferred bidders for the Olympic Stadium this week after sports minister Hugh Robertson confirmed he is satisfied with the bidding process that resulted in Tottenham being defeated. Daily Telegraph
The Football Association's plans to revamp the FA Cup have come under fire from the Football Supporters' Federation, which is frustrated at its lack of involvement in the process. Daily Telegraph
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