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Nerves not an issue for City - Mancini

Manchester City arrive on a high having pieced together a few wins © PA Photos

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Roberto Mancini is adamant Manchester City are not feeling the pressure ahead of the Manchester derby, insisting "it is football, not work".

City can move top of the Premier League by beating rivals Manchester United on Monday, although should Sir Alex Ferguson's side leave the Etihad Stadium with three points then Roberto Mancini's troops will be trailing the leaders by six points with only two games remaining.

Mancini has repeatedly played down his side's chances of winning the title, maintaining that even if City win United will remain favourites, and he sees no reason why his players should be weighed down by nerves ahead of the eagerly-anticipated derby.

"It is impossible to be worried for Monday yet," he said. "It is football, not work. Maybe Monday morning there will be pressure, but this is normal for us or for United. But not now, I don't think this."

With an unenviable trip to Newcastle and a home clash with a QPR outfit battling for survival to come, Mancini says it is important City get a positive result against United, who have arguably easier remaining games on paper against Swansea and Sunderland.

"They have one difficult game against us, then they have two easy games. They will probably get six points," he said. "It is clear if we have a chance - we want to take that chance - but I don't know."

City are chasing a first league title since 1968 and Mancini says their efforts this season will not be forgotten, even if the title passes them by.

He said: "For us, I repeat, we should be proud for our season. We have 22 points more than Chelsea, who went to the final of the Champions League. We have 14 points more than Arsenal, 31 more than Liverpool and they are another top team. We should be pleased for this.

"It is important we are here and at the end of the season we are playing for the title. United are in a better position than us but it is important to be here. In the last two years we have improved a lot as a club, as a team, and this is important.

"In one game anything can happen - you can lose or win - but it doesn't change anything. It is important we improve from the last championship."

Mancini may, on the surface, be suggesting the title is United's to lose, but deep down he is preparing for a fight until the end.

He said: "I wait always until the end of the championship. We lost seven points in four games, this can happen - so also for the other team. When you play a difficult game at the end of the season you should be tired and you can lose a point anywhere.

"Sometimes you can lose the title in the last game or the last minute. But when you arrive in a final of the Champions League, Europa League or a game like this, and you play against United, you can lose. This is football, because you don't play against a small team."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.