You've won nothing yet! Mancini tells Ferguson that City will push United all the way in title tussle despite seven-point gap



Roberto Mancini has warned Manchester United that the title race is far from over, telling his rivals: ‘No-one’s ever won it in January.’

City have dropped seven points behind United following a goalless draw at bottom club QPR in midweek, and the gap could be stretched to 10 points tomorrow when Sir Alex Ferguson’s side

visit Fulham.

But Mancini – who faces a tough game at home to Liverpool on Sunday – knows his side came from eight points behind with six games left to win the Premier League last season, and believes City will significantly reduce the gap by the end of this month.

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Warning shot: Roberto Mancini (right) believes Manchester City will push rivals United for the Premier League

Missing him already? Mario Balotelli's parking space was still up at City's training base in Carrington despite his departure for Milan

The Italian believes City can claw back some of the deficit this month, despite being without captain Vincent Kompany for three weeks, until the FA Cup tie against Leeds in two weeks’ time with a calf injury.

‘In every championship, a team never won a title in January here,’ he said. ‘We should fight until April. If they have seven, eight, nine points in April, it could be difficult, maybe but in this moment we have a big chance.

'This doesn’t change. I think when we arrive at the end of February, the gap will be very, very small.

‘Against QPR we were really unlucky. We dominated the game but didn’t score. We’ ve had three or four games like this this year. It’s always 0-0 when we deserve to score two or three goals.'

Mancini insisted he is happy to finish the season with only three senior strikers after Mario Balotelli joined AC Milan for £19.5million this week, but reiterated that he is sorry to see the colourful Italian leave England when faced with more questions about Balotelli at his weekly press conference this morning.

Maestro: David Silva (centre) will hope to pull the strings when City take on Liverpool

Keeping an eye out: Joe Hart was put through his paces during training this afternoon

'No, we are not happy,’ he added. ‘Mario did well, maybe not in the last three or four months because he had big problems with injury, but he did well because he helped the team win the Premier League and the FA Cup. We are sad about this but this is football.

'It was difficult. It was only my decision. I believe in him and I believe that for him to go back to Italy after two years in England is important.



VIDEO Mancini says he's not happy to see Mario Balotelli go...

Unsung hero: Pablo Zabaleta (left) is followed by Carlos Tevez (centre) and Silva during training

All smiles: Sergio Aguero (left) and Zabaleta share a joke ahead of the weekend's big match

'Until one week ago it was impossible because we didn’t receive any offers. Instead in the last three days Milan started to talk with the club and made the offer.

'We thought it was good for everyone. For Mario, it could be a big chance to go back to Italy and play for a top club like Milan. For the club, we can get back some money.'

Then there were three: Tevez (centre), Aguero (right) and Edin Dzeko are options up front for Mancini since the departure of Mario Balotelli

Improved: Javi Garcia may start the match at centre back for City