Mancini needs the FA Cup this season
When Manchester City succumbed to a 3-1 defeat to Southampton last weekend, it effectively saw the Premier League title race come to an abrupt end. Coupled with Manchester United’s 2-0 win over Everton the following day, it saw a 12 point gap emerge between the two Manchester rivals.
With the Premier League title set to make its way back to Old Trafford for the 13th time, coupled with City’s early exit from Europe, it has left just the FA Cup as the final piece of silverware available to the Citizens.
The 4-0 win over Leeds United couldn’t be more pivotal to the club’s season, or even Roberto Mancini’s position as manager. The Italian has come under increased scrutiny following a number of below par performances across the season, which has seen them all but forfeit the title three months before the end of the season.
However, an FA Cup win would surely deter the doubters, for 12 months at least. It’s fair to say that with the money Mancini has spent at the Etihad Stadium, City should sweep all those before them, much like Leeds on Sunday.
Yet, they appear tactically weak, with the City boss continuously tinkering his starting XI and formation, regularly looking to swap to a back three mid-game which has cost them more than once this year.
Failure to secure FA Cup glory this season will leave the club empty handed for the first time during Mancini’s full three years at the club and with it could well cost him his job at the club. If he expects to find himself in the same position for the new season he best focus on securing Champions League football for the next campaign or, perhaps more importantly, leading the Citizens to domestic glory in this one.
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