Roberto Mancini will not be taking any action to stop Mario Balotelli smoking. The Manchester City manager, who has been angered by excessive drinking by some of his players outside the club, says he is relaxed about the striker's habit.

"For me it is not OK but I am not his father," he said. "If he were my son, I would give him a kick up the arse but he is not my son. I have told him it is better that he doesn't smoke because I am always against cigarettes and that's why my son doesn't smoke. There are players in Italy who smoke and some over here but I don't think he smokes a lot – maybe five or six a day."

Mancini believes January may see a shift in the title race. While acknowledging that Manchester United have done well to erode City's lead, he said since their 6-1 defeat in the derby, Sir Alex Ferguson's side have not played any of the leading clubs. Between 22 January and 3 March, United face Arsenal, Chelsea and Spurs away from home.

"After losing to us, United have not had a game against a top squad but they have these games in January and February and for this reason I feel it could be an important month," said Mancini, who is fully aware of the power of Ferguson's sides in the run-in. "United are strong. I never thought the championship was finished [after the 6-1 victory at Old Trafford in October] because at one stage last season Chelsea had seven more points than United and lost the title. United are used to being on top and fighting to win the title. Probably they are better than us at this moment but we will do everything possible to win the championship."

After grinding a goalless draw at West Bromwich Albion, City travel to Sunderland recognising that more and more teams will attempt to stifle them defensively. "We need to focus on the next 20 games and think positively in the difficult moments," said Mancini. "In every championship there are difficult moments and so far United have had only one difficult moment – against us. We will have them next year, so will United and so will Tottenham."

Manchester City will use the January transfer window to offload rather than sign players. Mancini denied claims from Lille that they were prepared to bid up to ¤30m (£25m) for their striker Eden Hazard and said he expected Carlos Tevez, Nedum Onuoha and Wayne Bridge to leave Eastlands. He also rejected Bridge's suggestion that he had been frozen out of the club. "I spoke with Bridge at the start of last season," he said. "That was two years ago and I said: 'Wayne you are not part of my plans, it's better that you find a solution so you can play.' He has known the situation for two years." Staff and agencies