Manchester CityRoberto Mancini claims Manchester United have benefited from a number of "strange" decisions recently as he questioned the officiating of referees in certain games.

The Manchester City manager referred to United’s 2-0 win over Queens Park Rangers and their 4-0 victory against Aston Villa on Sunday. Both were at Old Trafford and featured Ashley Young appearing to go down dramatically to win early penalties, with QPR’s Shaun Derry sent off for his foul.

Asked if he was heartened that despite City trailing United by five points his players still believe they can win the title, Mancini said: “I am happy for them but I think that it’s very difficult, particularly after some strange situations in the last three or four weeks.”

Regarding Young’s actions he said: “Because there was a squad that had a penalty or played with 10 [as QPR had to] or 11 players it’s strange. Everyone who watched all the games can have their opinion about this.

“This is a situation that I don’t like because the rules should be the same for everyone, not for us or for United or for West Bromwich.” Mancini’s mention of West Brom was in reference to City’s 0-0 draw there on December 26th when he feels his side suffered a further officiating injustice. “There was another penalty against West Bromwich when the player saved with his hand on the line,” he said.

“In Italy we have a saying that ‘every place is the same’. When I was in Italy I always thought here had the best referees.

My ideas have changed, probably,” he said.

Guardian Service