By IAN LADYMAN
Sir Alex Ferguson and Roberto Mancini traded barbs over dodgy penalty decisions as they ramped up the pressure ahead of Sunday’s Manchester derby.
Mancini accused United winger Ashley Young of ‘swimming’ – he meant diving – while Ferguson questioned the number of spot-kicks City have been awarded at the Etihad Stadium.
Barclays Premier League leaders United visit champions City with a three-point lead over their neighbours and both managers were testing the FA’s rules against pressuring referee Martin Atkinson.
Ferguson suggested City had won far too many penalties at the Etihad, saying: ‘If we got that number of penalty kicks, there’d be an inquiry in the House of Commons.’
When this was put to City manager Mancini half an hour later, however, the Italian pointed to Young’s dive that won United an important penalty at home to Aston Villa last season.
Mancini said: ‘I remember very well last year when Young was swimming in the box.
‘Four or five times in the last 10 games and no-one said anything. Fergie is clever for this.’
Since the start of the 2010-11 season City have been awarded 20 Premier League spot-kicks at home to United’s 13.
However, last season United were given nine penalties at Old Trafford – one more than their neighbours.
Referee Atkinson has had problems with both clubs. He was in charge at Old Trafford in 2009 when six minutes of added time saw United seal a 4-3 triumph over City, while he upset Ferguson with his handling of a game at Chelsea two seasons ago.
Ferguson may play captain Nemanja Vidic, while City are hoping to have David Silva back after a hamstring injury.
Asked if City were still the ‘noisy neighbours’ he called them four years ago, Ferguson laughed: ‘Aye, they are screaming now.’
