'Incredible' Fergie hailed

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini claims it has been an honour to compete against Sir Alex Ferguson – the best manager of his generation – over the past three years.

Mancini’s arrival at the Etihad Stadium in December 2009 has coincided with a resurgence in the rivalry between City and Ferguson’s Manchester United at the top of the Barclays Premier League.

City memorably beat United in the 2011 FA Cup semi-finals and then pipped them to the Premier League title in dramatic circumstances last year, a season in which they also thrashed their neighbours 6-1 at Old Trafford.