Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini insists his side probably cannot win English Premier League title because of Manchester United’s superior team spirit.
The comments came despite City’s 4-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion to bring them to within five points of the leaders and struggling Wigan breathing life into the EPL title race with a stunning 1-0 upset of United.
Just days after United looked to have wrapped up a 20th league crown by opening an eight-point lead over City, Shaun Maloney’s 50th-minute winner for Wigan suggested the title race might yet have more twists in store.
With five games remaining, Sir Alex Ferguson’s United have little margin for error in their remaining fixtures.
Wigan claimed a precious three points to lift them out of the relegation zone at the expense of Bolton.
In a bizarre post-match media conference, Mancini refused to accept his club can overhaul the defending champions.
“United is a fantastic team and I don’t think they can lose five points,” said Mancini.
“For us, it’s important we finish this season well. For us, it has been the best season since 1968. For us, that’s important.
“Always I will fight, every day. Also my team but now I think it’s too late. It’s not mind games. United have a fantastic spirit – we don’t have the same spirit. For this reason, it’s very difficult.
Mancini challenged his side to complete home-and-away victories over United when the two Manchester rivals collide at Eastlands on April 30.
City won easily against West Brom with two goals from Sergio Aguero, one from David Silva and a first goal of the campaign from Carlos Tevez, who started his first game for the club since September.
Tevez’s performance was so impressive that he was even afforded a standing ovation by supporters when he was substituted in the second half – a far cry from earlier in the season when Mancini insisted his City career was over.
City face Norwich on Saturday while United host Aston Villa on Sunday.
“We play Norwich in another three days – it will be very tough. We can put pressure back on United but only for 30 minutes, two hours. I would be surprised. For me, United are a really top team and I don’t feel they can lose five points,” said Mancini.
At least West Brom manager Roy Hodgson believes the title race is still on.
“Making up five points in five games is better than eight points in five games,” he said. “Sir Alex (Ferguson) will be disappointed not to have got something from the Wigan game.
“But City still have to reel in those five points. The title race is more interesting now than it was before tonight but there is still an awful long way to go. I think both teams are playing well.”
Also on Wednesday, Arsenal tightened their grip on third place and an automatic Champions League qualifying place with a 3-0 win over bottom club Wolves at Molineux.
Arsenal have taken a five-point lead over fourth-placed Tottenham as Wolves slumped to a seventh straight defeat that leaves them nine points from safety.
At the other end of the table, Queens Park Rangers boosted their hopes of EPL survival with a 3-0 win over Swansea at Loftus Road.