ROBERTO MANCINI will congratulate Alex Ferguson on a record 20th title if Manchester City lose tomorrow.
A win would send Fergie’s United 18 points clear and Mancini said: “If they beat us, yes, I will congratulate him. If not, I will do it when they win the title.”
United are closing in on their 20th league crown after the agony of losing out to their bitter rivals on goal difference on the final day of last season.
But City boss Mancini warned: “They deserve to win this title but next season will be different.”
And the Italian insisted the current 15-point gap between United and City is “not a true reflection” of the difference between them.
He added: “At this point it should be five or six points. It will be closer next season.”
City can win silverware this term as they face Chelsea in an FA Cup semi-final next Sunday.
Mancini confessed: “We are one game from the final but it does not save our season. I am disappointed because our target was to retain the title.”
