Soccer: Diego Maradona hopes Man City can claim the Premier League title, but fears defensive tactics could undermine their efforts.
Argentina legend Maradona was in England over the weekend visiting his son-in-law, Sergio Aguero, a man charged with the task of firing City to domestic glory. He has, however, been left unimpressed by Mancini's methods, with it his opinion that the Italian is going about lifting the crown all wrong.
City burst out of the blocks this season, netting 39 goals in their first 11 games as they collected 31 points from a possible 33. They have won more (19) and scored more (64) than United (18 and 61) this season, but the have found the going a little tougher of late, finding the target just 16 times in their last 11 outings and dropping 11 points along the way.
However, Maradona believes the pressure of chasing a long-awaited top-flight title is starting to take its toll, with Mancini having forced his side to start retreating into their shell.
He said: "My heart says Manchester City, but I believe Mancini, with the players he has, is not daring enough. He's a bit too defensive, maybe because he is Italian.
"As an organisation, and with their style of play, United are more aggressive. But if I have to support one team, I'll be a fan for my son-in-law."
Maradona has also claimed that he would rather have seen Aguero stay at Atletico Madrid last summer, but appreciates that it would have been difficult to shun City's advances.
"Seeing Aguero in Madrid would make for much more interesting matches than at Manchester City," added the current boss of Dubai-based outfit Al Wasl. "But he has finally found a place in the world and a team where he can fight for important things."
