‘It is not Mancini against Hughes, it is City against QPR’

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has downplayed attempts to build up tomorrow’s title crunch against QPR as a grudge match between him and Mark Hughes.

Hughes, Mancini’s predecessor, returns to the Etihad Stadium with his new side for a match that has major implications at the top and bottom of the Premier League.

Victory for City would secure a first title for 44 years — on goal difference should Manchester United also beat Sunderland — but anything less would open the door for their great rivals to reclaim the crown, and they face a QPR side anxious for points.

Rangers need to avoid defeat to be sure of escaping relegation without relying on other results and, given the manner of his exit from City in 2009, it is felt Hughes has double incentive to succeed.

But Mancini, whose managerial style has been criticised by Hughes in the past, insists footballing matters are all that are relevant.

The Italian said: “This is not important — on Sunday we play Manchester City against QPR. For me, they are a good team, they don’t deserve to stay at the bottom.

“They want to do everything to stay in the Premier League and for this reason I think it will be a tough game.

“I don’t know him very well but it is not Mancini against Hughes or Hughes against Mancini. It is City against QPR.

“One team plays for the title, the other plays for [to avoid] relegation.”

Hughes was also keen to stress that survival is the only motivation he needs.

“People keep throwing that word [revenge] up but it is not in my mind at all.

“From my point of view I am completely focused on what we have to do, as you would expect.

“We have got a huge game and huge challenge. It is not going to be easy as Manchester City are an outstanding football team.

“The prize they are going for is obviously the ultimate prize and for us to deny them the opportunity to do that will be difficult.

“Everybody acknowledges that but the fact that this season has been so unpredictable means you can never say that a result is a given.

“That is certainly not how we’re thinking and we intend to go there to get the points we need to be safe.”

Despite beating Manchester United and Newcastle in their last two games, City boss Mancini feels tomorrow’s games will be the hardest of the three and fully expects United to win at the Stadium of Light.

He said: “In this situation we are playing a team playing against relegation. It will be hard, more difficult than Newcastle, more than United.

“Sunderland play for nothing. I am sure they will play 100%, but they play for nothing in their last game. For this reason it is an easier game [for United].”

Mancini guided City to their first silverware in 35 years with FA Cup success last season but the pressure is now on to end their league drought.

Mancini is proud of efforts so far but can feel the weight of history and wants to finish the job for the sake of supporters.

He said: “We would like to win this championship for our supporters. After more than 40 years, for them, it will be very important.”

Mancini says his squad have enjoyed a relaxed build-up to the weekend but concedes the nerves may arrive in the final hours leading up to kick-off.

He said: “The players are very well. I think maybe tomorrow, Saturday, we can have pressure — I don’t know — because it is the last game.

“But it doesn’t change our situation, we need to play another difficult game.”