Mancini accepts Manchester United league victory

Roberto Mancini is hoping that his Manchester City side continue to pick up the points as they look to finish their Premier League campaign in second place, having accepted that Manchester United are too far ahead to be caught up. Last year's champions are 15 points behind their city rivals with only nine games remaining, with are only four and five points, respectively, separating them from of Chelsea and Tottenham. Mancini's side are still yet to face United and Spurs, both away from the Etihad Stadium, which could cause a late twist in the race for the top four. The Italian told reporters of the potential threat: "I'm sure Chelsea and Tottenham want to take the second position and we must do our best for this reason. "We want to stay there, we want to finish in second position. "When you are in football anything can happen if you don't play well and if you don't work hard. Now, I don't think this can happen but we should pay attention. "It is also important for them to get second position because if we finish runners-up and win the FA Cup it would still have been a good season when you consider all the problems we have had."