Mancini hits back at critics

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has hit out at claims his job could be on the line this weekend by saying his critics "don't understand football".

Some pundits have suggested Mancini could face the sack if City, whose Barclays Premier League title defence is faltering, are knocked out of the FA Cup by Leeds this weekend. Former City and Leeds defender Danny Mills has even said a successor could be appointed by Thursday if Mancini's last realistic hope of winning silverware is ended.

Mancini, speaking at a press conference to preview the fifth-round tie, said: "We started our project three years ago. In three years we are always on the top - we fight for the title, we have won three trophies, we have the chance to win more this year. All the people who talk about this don't understand football."

He continued: "Because if Manchester City should sack me, the other 19 teams in the Premier League should be without a manager."

Mancini, who succeeded Mark Hughes in December 2009, ended City's 35-year trophy drought by guiding them to FA Cup success in 2011. He followed that by overseeing a first title win in 44 years last May and then added an additional trophy in the Community Shield.

Yet last weekend's 3-1 loss at struggling Southampton, after which Manchester United extended their lead at top of the table to 12 points, has brought renewed speculation over Mancini's position.

When told he had been criticised by "former City players", Mancini responded by saying they were "probably the players that won a lot of trophies in the history".

Mills told BBC Sport: "Mancini is under pressure. It looks like they have blown their chances of retaining the title. You wonder what would happen if they went out of the FA Cup against Leeds. I think Roberto Mancini goes."

Mancini is unlikely to risk captain Vincent Kompany, who has missed the last three games with a calf injury, against Championship side Leeds.

Midfielder Gareth Barry is also missing with an unspecified problem but central defender Matija Nastasic is fit again after a knee problem and striker Carlos Tevez returns after personal issues.