Roberto Mancini laughs off Sir Alex Ferguson’s latest Man City jibe

City are sitting at the top of the Premier League, however, Sir Alex has suggested it is actually the London side who are playing the best football.

‘It is difficult to say your neighbour is playing better football,’ Mancini said. ‘Tottenham can win the title. They have done a fantastic season until now and in the next four months, I don’t know. But, for now, we are playing the best football in the Premier League.

‘In every city where there are two teams, the rivalry is very intense. Rome, Milan, it is strong everywhere.’

Mancini also had some kind words for his rival, stating that he thinks Manchester Unitedare the ‘best team in England’ even though injuries mean they are not performing at the top of their game at the moment.

Manchester City will be looking to show United just how well they are playing on Sunday when they take them on in the third round of the FA Cup.

Last year saw Mancini’s men defeating the Reds in the semi finals of the competition before going on to win the trophy.

One Man City player desperate to prove victorious this weekend is defender Joleon Lescott who told Sky Sports his side are now United’s biggest rivals, not Liverpool.

No-one can take ‘world-class’ Thierry Henry’s acheivements at Arsenal away – Gunners boss Arsene Wenger

The Frenchman has also insisted that the striker, who has rejoined Arsenal on a two-month loan deal from the New York Red Bulls, is still a world-class talent – and he is delighted to have signed a player of his quality at this stage of the season.

He told the club’s official website: “No, you cannot take away from people what they have done, and what he has delivered will stay forever. It can just make the statue a bit bigger! Let’s hope he will do that.

“Thierry is a world-class player and even at this club a player of that dimension is always very difficult to find, especially at this period of the season.

“He can just add something more to the team. Certainly he is one of the best signings I have made. It is difficult to compare defenders and strikers, but one of the best for sure.”

Wenger is adamant that the entire Arsenal squad is pleased Henry has re-joined the club, and believes the 34-year-old’s experience will be vital at this crucial stage of the season.

He added: “Everybody is happy that he has joined the team. We should not put too much emphasis on that. Everybody is happy that he is with us, he can help off the pitch, on the pitch, but basically he is a football player so you want him to help especially on the pitch.

“We have a good spirit in the side and he will add something more, experience-wise, and on the nerves side as well, when we are under pressure. That is a good addition because he knows the club, he knows the league, and it is only positive.”

The Gunners’ manager also confirmed Henry will play some part in their FA Cup clash with Leeds United on Monday, but admitted the striker won’t play the full game.

“Thierry will be involved against Leeds, but at the moment 90 minutes is a bit long for him because he has not played for a long time,” Wenger said.

“He works hard, but he is a bit behind physically. In one or two weeks Thierry will be fine.”