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Beaten Fergie angered by Mancini

Sir Alex Ferguson was not happy with Roberto Mancini during the Manchester derby © Getty Images

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Sir Alex Ferguson accused Roberto Mancini of "badgering" the officials throughout Manchester United's crucial 1-0 defeat to City at the Etihad Stadium on Monday.

Ferguson and Mancini clashed in the second half after a tackle by Nigel De Jong on Danny Welbeck. The Dutchman was booked for what appeared to be an accidental coming-together of legs, but both managers were left incensed.

"He was badgering the official the whole game - the fourth official and the linesman. As soon as I go out there, he's up again," Ferguson told Sky Sports.

"He was complaining about referees the other week... he can't be complaining tonight, that's for sure."

Mancini preferred not to get into a war of words with his United counterpart, merely explaining: "I don't remember. I told the fourth official it was a foul for us, not for them."

City won 1-0 thanks to Vincent Kompany's winner, which came after he lost marker Chris Smalling. The result means City are top of the table on goal difference, with only two games remaining.

"It was competitive, not many chances in the match. We're disappointed we never tested their goalkeeper," Ferguson said. "Our crossing was poor, they were more of a threat because they had the ball more around our box.

"If you lose a goal at a set-piece at this level, you've only got yourselves to blame for that. It was a bad time to concede because there was nothing really happening in that first half."

City now must beat Newcastle and QPR to take the title, and Ferguson confessed United may be left to rue their 4-4 draw at home to Everton, when they tossed away a two-goal lead in the last ten minutes.

"They're in the driving seat now with only two games of football left," Ferguson conceded. "It's not over, particularly as we've got the same number of points, but an eight-goal advantage is a significant advantage for them.

"I think we look at last Saturday as the worst [setback], in the Everton game. We should never have thrown that away."

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