Mancini: we will not be sitting back

ROBERTO MANCINI insists attack will be the best form of defence when Manchester City look to shrug their neighbours aside on the path to Carling Cup glory tonight.

At Eastlands last week, Mancini seemed to adopt a typically Italian mentality to such matters, taking off forwards and introducing more defensive-minded players as the clock ran down. Yet he insists the attitude tonight must be positive – and that means going forward.

“We don’t want to go to Old Trafford only to defend,” he said. “We will have to defend if United attack. Then we will need to defend very well because they have so many good players. But we want to win, not just the tie, but at Old Trafford. To do that, we must attack.”

Although clearly upset for Emmanuel Adebayor over his horrific African Nations Cup experience, he is secure enough in the Togo man’s mental state to promise him a place on the bench at Old Trafford.

The opposite is true of Kolo Toure, who will be checked this morning after flying back from Angola in the wake of Ivory Coast’s surprise quarter-final exit to England’s World Cup opponents Algeria.

“It could be a problem because Kolo only played three days ago,” said Mancini. “I hope Kolo can play but I understand it is possible he could be tired when he arrives.”

The weight of history cannot be allowed to hang round City necks.

Mancini has already pledged to rip down the counter that hangs down from the Stretford End, clicking over each year their rivals’ trophy cabinet remains empty. The tally currently stands at 33.

“We must start somewhere,” he said. “It is important to get to that first final. After that, we want to win it. But we have two opportunities. After this one we have another in the FA Cup, although obviously this one is a big chance to get to Wembley because it is a semi-final.”

Mancini is gripped by a sense of anticipation for what could be the start of a golden era.

“I am excited,” he said. “I know the fans are as well. This is normal. But it is also one football match and we must not forget that.”