MANCINI ON THE BRINK
ROBERTO MANCINI has THREE games to save his job.
Mancini is on the brink as the fallout from Manchester City’s derby defeat to bitter rivals Manchester United continues.
City’s second successive Champions League flop and the failure to secure the consolation prize of Europa League football hasn’t gone down well.
But Starport understands it is the defence of their Premier League title that has left under pressure boss Mancini in serious danger.
The 3-2 derby loss was the Blues’ first league defeat this season.
But they look a shadow of the side that won last season’s title and trail fierce enemies United by six points.
The City hierarchy are already panicking about the size of the gap. They fear their Premier League crown could be impossible to retain if it grows significantly bigger before the end of the month.
City travel to Newcastle on Saturday then host Reading a week later before a Boxing Day trip to Sunderland.
Those three fixtures look set to decide whether City’s Abu Dhabi owners bring the axe down on Mancini now or keep faith for a little longer.
A fresh player bust-up, this time with keeper Joe Hart following the United defeat, and another run-in with Mario Balotelli, won’t help Mancini and will cause more concern that he is losing his grip on things at the Etihad.
Mancini is believed to have already had some of his power stripped away by recently appointed sporting director Txiki Begiristain.
The Italian is understood to have been told to focus on team selection and tactics and leave the buying and selling of players to Begiristain.
Begiristain is thought to be the driving force behind City’s move for Malaga’s Spanish attacking midfielder Isco, 20.
While there are concerns among some at City that Isco is too similar to David Silva and Samir Nasri, Begiristain is a huge fan.
City have already held preliminary talks with Isco’s representatives and are prepared to meet his £17m release fee.
However, Mancini has bigger and more immediate problems. A source said: “The only thing he needs to do is win the next two or three games otherwise he has nothing more to do at City.”
What City will do if they decide to pull the trigger is unclear. A move for No.1 target Pep Guardiola is a possibility.
Bayern Munich and Chelsea also want the ex-Barcelona boss when his one-year sabbatical ends in the summer.
City could make an early move in the hope that Begiristain, who played and worked with Guardiola at Barcelona, could persuade him to cut short his break.
Sunderland are facing competition from Italian club Palermo to sign Manchester City striker John Guidetti, 20. talkSHIT
Joe Hart under threat as Manchester City target Santos goalkeeper Rafael Cabral
Starlet: Rafael Cabral is a goalkeeper in demand (Picture: AFP)
Manchester City are weighing up a move for Brazilian goalkeeper Rafael Cabral, as manager Roberto Mancini looks to add competition for number one Joe Hart.
Santos ‘keeper Rafael is a rising star in South America, and City boss Mancini is rumoured to see him as a quality but cut-price back up for Hart.
According to Lancenet, Rafael is likely to be available for around £5million this January, given Santos’ poor performance in the Brazilian Serie A – ending their domestic season in 8th place.
The lowly finish has reportedly tempted the 22-year-old to move to Europe early, and City believe they can strike a deal to bring him in during the new year.
Rafael would be a superb alternative to Hart’s current understudies – Romanian rookie Costel Pantilimon and 35-year-old ex-Preston flop Richard Wright.
Barcelona and City’s Premier League rivals Tottenham are other sides who have been linked with moves for Rafael in recent seasons, but neither have firmed up their interest with an offer.Metro
CARL'S BOLLOX - PART 3
City turn to PSG defender Sakho as they consider shipping out Lescott in January
Manchester City are monitoring developments with Paris St Germain defender Mamadou Sakho.
The 22-year-old, who has been pushed out by the arrival of Thiago Silva and his partnership with Alex, is keen to gain more game time.
Working together? Mamadou Sakho has been pushed out by the arrival of Thiago
The powerful defender has a bleak future in the French capital despite his standing as a fans favourite having been born in the city and come through the ranks at the club since the age of six.
In August, Sakho was told he was able to leave the club but dug in and has gone on to make 10 starts this season.
The France international's agents began offering him around Europe and received interest from England, Italian giants AC Milan and French outfit Lille.
Arsenal have long admired Sakho but need to off-load fringe defenders Sebastien Squillaci and Johan Djourou before they can make a move.
City may consider an offer should they offload Joleon Lescott next month. DSSC
AC Milan warn Manchester City off of youngster
AC Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani has warned Manchester City that Stephan El Shaarawy will not be leaving the club, report talkSHIT.
The Sky Blues’ manager Roberto Mancini is believed to be interested in the 20-year-old, who he sees as an ideal addition to his attacking armoury in the fight for the Premier League title.
A possible swap deal involving controversial striker Mario Balotelli has been mooted, with the Italian failing to meet expectations at the Etihad Stadium.
However, Galliani is insistent that El Shaarawy will not be leaving the Rossoneri:
“El Shaarawy to swap with Balotelli at City? I swear that will end with El Shaarawy at Milan.” He said.
The AC Milan youngster has been a success since joining the club in 2011 from Genoa.
His eye for goal has seen him hit 13 efforts in his last 16 Serie A appearances, in which the team have struggled on field.
This form has alerted a number of top sides, but Manchester City are thought to be in pole position for his signature should a move occur.
El Shaarawy is of Egyptian decent, but has represented the Italy at international level on three occasions, finding the net once.
A low centre of gravity and explosive pace make the forward a handful for opposing defenders and have seen him heralded as one of the finest talents Italian football
Manchester United's Ryan Giggs cherishing Manchester City rivalry
Ryan Giggs believes Manchester United's current rivalry with Manchester City to akin to that they had against Arsenal.
The Welsh winger says that United's 3-2 victory over Roberto Mancini's side at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday reminded him of the matches he played against Arsenal between 1997 and 2004.
"We had so many battles with Arsenal that were skilful games, but also physically tough, and I felt the game was like that on Sunday," Ryan told United's podcast Red Voices.
"It is two very good teams with the added spice that it's a local derby. Over the last three years, each Manchester derby has intensified.
"The build-up is longer, people start talking about it earlier and the feeling when you win is even better."
Giggs reflected on the game and hailed his team for not settling for a draw in the Premier League clash.
"It was two quality sides, both in good form and going head to head at the top of the league," said the 39-year-old.
"We took the first half and then City came back into life like we expected, but I thought we still looked dangerous and had goals in us during the second half.
"At 2-2, with City coming back into it, most people would've settled for a draw, but we score late goals so often and there is no better feeling, especially in such a big game."
The win saw United go six points clear of City at the top of the league table.
[spoiler]
[/spoiler]Manchester United have joined the race for Arsenal's Theo Walcott, 23, in a move similar to Robin van Persie's switch to Old Trafford in August. DSSC
Liverpool are set to buy Chelsea's Daniel Sturridge, 23, and 20-year-old Blackpool forward Thomas Ince - as well as allowing Joe Cole, 31, to leave - in the January transfer window. Daily Mirror
Chelsea will step up their pursuit of Corinthians midfielder Paulinho, 24, after Oriol Romeu was ruled out for the rest of the season.Times
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew is ready to replace Demba Ba with Dynamo Kiev striker Artem Milevskiy, 27. Sun
West Bromwich Albion striker Shane Long, 25, says he is not looking to leave The Hawthorns in the January transfer window.Express & Star
Reading are lining up a January swoop to bring former Tottenham striker Roman Pavlyuchenko, 31, back to the Premier League. Daily Mirror
Wolves manager Stale Solbakken insists it is "out of the question" that midfielder Bakary Sako, 24, will leave the club in January. Birmingham Mail
Wally Downes has left his position as first-team coach at West Ham by mutual consent. The 51-year-old was appointed to the role after Sam Allardyce replaced Avram Grant as manager in 2011. DSSC
MK Dons manager Karl Robinson, 32, has been left "shaken" after being attacked by Brentford supporters. Daily Mirror
Liverpool have apologised to Fulham over the tapping-up of Clint Dempsey in the summer. DSSC
Robin van Persie says his impressive start at Manchester United is down to the likes of younger strikers Javier Hernandez, 24, and Danny Welbeck, 22, keeping him fresh. Daily Telegraph
Burnley defender Jack Errington, 17, has undergone heart surgery as a result of a scan introduced following Fabrice Muamba's on-pitch cardiac arrest in March this year. DSSC
Striker Michael Owen, who has only managed 51 minutes since joining Stoke on a free transfer in the summer, says he is eager to make up for lost time and is in contention to face Everton on Saturday after the 32-year-old played in a friendly against Preston. Daily Telegraph
FA chairman David Bernstein says he is keen see David Beckham take up a role with the FA in the future. The former England midfielder, 37, ended his six-year spell with LA Galaxy by winning the MLS Cup at the beginning of December. Goal.com
WALMAI'S BOLLOX
West Ham are coolest team in Springfield
WEST HAM have won a major Homer victory by becoming the first Premier League club to be featured in hit US TV series The Simpsons.
Bart if Hammers fans want to savour the moment, they’ll probably need to use a D’oh Motion Replay as it’s one of those ‘blink and you’ll miss it’ appearances.
In the seventh episode of the current series shown on Sky 1, ‘The Day The Earth Stood Cool’, Bart Simpson and sister Lisa can’t wait to visit new next door neighbour T-Rex.
Their uber cool playmate opens the door to his Bohemian bedroom to reveal a West Ham United banner suspended from the ceiling.
But while the room’s carpet and curtains are pure claret and blue, the club’s famous castle crest with crossed hammers can be seen mounted on an unfamiliar green and gold background.
Could that be something to do with Hollywood movie Green Street in which the Hammers feature heavily? Or a sneaky reference to co-chairman David Gold?
Sun
MORE BOLLOX SOON
