• Premier League

Mancini happy for City to be hated

ESPN staff
December 1, 2011
Roberto Mancini does not mind if Manchester City are hated by rivals © PA Photos
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Roberto Mancini hopes Manchester City turn into a figure of hate for rival fans, as it means they will be winning.

City are soaring in the Premier League following an unbeaten start to the season and it appears Sheikh Mansour's investment is paying off.

Mansour, who it was confirmed paid out almost £10m in agents fees, has spent a fortune to turn City into potential champions.

His investment has left many rival supporters deeply unhappy but manager Mancini is unfazed as he feels that the winners are always targeted for abuse by rivals.

"Every team that wins things doesn't get sympathy," Mancini said. "Do United get sympathy from other teams? No, because United win always.

"When Arsenal won leagues and cups was there sympathy? No. Because every team knows that when they win they do not get sympathy.

"I hope we don't get sympathy for the next games either."

Mansour has called on Mancini to bring the Premier League to Eastlands and the Italian feels the next two months will be pivotal to their chances.

He said: "The season is hard now. We have two months, December and January, that I think will be crucial months because we play tough games and we play every three days.

"I think that, after January, we can start talking about whether we can win something or not."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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