Mancini says Man U lost because ‘we wanted to win, they wanted draw’

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Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has said that Manchester United had paid for their lack of ambition with defeat, in the game which may shift the balance of power in British football following United’s 1-0 defeat at the Etihad Stadium.

It was the first time in three years that United has not had a shot on target in a Premier League game, with three blocked shots their sum total.

"[The key was] that we wanted to win and they wanted a draw. This is the difference. This can happen," Mancini said.

His claims come after Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson accused Mancini of attempting to influence the officials by ‘badgering’ them in the 1-0 defeat, which takes City back to the top of the table on goal difference, but Mancini accused him of hypocrisy in response to Ferguson’s allegation.

"Him? No? He doesn’t do this! He doesn’t talk to the referee to try to get decisions – never! But I never said anything against him. I was only talking to the fourth official,” The Independent quoted Ferguson, as saying.

The touchline dust-up between the two managers, in which Mancini’s assistant David Platt and United kitman Albert Morgan intervened, followed Mancini’s anger over Nigel de Jong’s booking for a second-half challenge on Danny Welbeck.

Ferguson has admitted that his side’s bid for the 20th Premier League title was damaged.

"Yes, I think they are in the driving seat now. They only need to win two games. It is not over yet. As long as there are games to play it is not over. But they have an eight-goal advantage and that is big at this stage of the season. It was a feisty game. We never tested their keeper and our crossing was poor. We had some control of the game but not enough,” he added.