City manager Mancini's astonishing rant: United are so lucky to be 15 points clear

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has provocatively claimed that Manchester United's runaway lead at the top of the Premier League is down to luck.



United went 15 points clear on Saturday with a 2-0 victory at bottom club QPR thanks to goals by Rafael and Ryan Giggs.



But Mancini, whose side must respond at home against Chelsea on Sunday, is adamant the gap is unfair.

Down to luck: Roberto Mancini says United are fortunate to be so far clear

'Until now, United have been really lucky with everything,' said the under-pressure Italian, who has reacted to questions about his future by swearing at a television camera.

'They have won a lot of games in the last minutes, including against us. They probably deserved to lose that game but won in the last second. I don't think this is a correct gap at the moment.'



Mancini's outburst has echoes of last season's comments by City ambassador Patrick Vieira that United were 'desperate' in bringing back Paul Scholes.



On that occasion, Sir Alex Ferguson responded angrily and United threw away an eight-point lead in the final weeks of the season - City taking the title on the last day with an injury-time winner against QPR.

The United manager will be furious at the suggestion that his side's ability to win matches late on is due to good fortune.



Stoking the fire: Patrick Viera (right) said bringing back Paul Scholes (left) was a desperate measure by Manchester United



He has regularly praised his team's character and never-saydie spirit in winning a record 27 points this season from losing positions.

They beat City 3-2 at the Etihad Stadium with a stunning late free-kick from Robin van Persie.



Mancini has become fed up by continued speculation about his position at City, having signed a five-year contract last summer.



Malaga boss Manuel Pellegrini is reported to have agreed in principle to take over the job in the summer - claims rubbished by the Premier League champions.



Mancini has set his team a target of winning all remaining 12 league games to have a hope of defending their crown.



The City manager said: 'Clearly it will not be easy, but if we win the last 12 games, it could happen. I was once 14 points above Roma [as Inter Milan manager] and we only won the championship in the last minutes.'



What a laugh: Sir Alex Ferguson will take Mancini's comments with a pinch of salt

Mancini is already planning a big clear-out for next season, should he survive, adding: 'I think we need to improve our team. This is true.'



Napoli striker Edinson Cavani will be a top target, with Samir Nasri likely to head a list of departures.

The £22million Frenchman has failed to settle in the north-west and returns to London, where he used to play for Arsenal, on every available day off.



Defender Kolo Toure, who would have been allowed to leave for Turkish club Bursaspor in the last transfer window, has already announced he will be going at the end of his contract in the summer.



He will be joined by Roque Santa Cruz and Wayne Bridge, both currently out on loan.

Edin Dzeko, the £27m striker, may also leave. He has had a fractious relationship with Mancini, complaining bitterly whenever he is left out of the starting line-up - as he was for last weekend's FA Cup victory against Leeds United.



Dzeko is likely to be on the bench again on Sunday as Mancini sticks with Argentina pairing Carlos Tevez and Sergio Aguero.



Mancini added: 'Dzeko is not happy but I don't know any player who is happy to go on the bench. It is impossible.'



Despite railing against United's massive lead, Mancini does admit Sir Alex Ferguson's side have edged their rivalry this season.

'They have done better than us, for sure,' he said.



