Benjani told to stay as Mancini eyes United
Benjani Mwaruwari has been told he still has a future at Manchester
City after scoring for the first time in more than a year during the 1-0
FA Cup third round win away to Middlesbrough.
Victory extended new manager Roberto Mancini’s 100 percent unbeaten
record since the Italian replaced the sacked Mark Hughes as City geared
up for next week’s eagerly-awaited League Cup semi-final against
Manchester United in impressive style at the Riverside here on Saturday.
Zimbabwe international Benjani made the most of a rare start with the
only goal to see-off Championship side Middlesbrough as Mancini
displayed the strength in depth at his disposal by making five changes
and leaving more than 30 million pounds of talent on the bench to keep
his side fresh for Wednesday’s first leg of the League Cup semi-final.
Asked immediately after the game if he was close to signing Inter
Milan defender Ivan Cordoba, Mancini replied: “No, not for now. “At the
moment, what is important is this game and Manchester United.” Benjani
has been linked with a move away in the January transfer window after
falling down the pecking order at Eastlands, especiallly as Mancini is
expected to bolster his squad with at least two new signings this month.
But the 31-year-old provided a timely reminder of his predatory
goal-scoring instincts with a first strike since he appeared on the
scoresheet in the 1-1 draw against Fulham in the Premier League in
December 2008.
The goal, carved out by midfielder Martin Petrov in first-half
stoppage time, settled a contest fought-out in near blizzard conditions.
Mancini insisted the African could play a significant role in the
second half of the season, with City aiming to make it to Wembley on two
fronts.
The former Inter boss, whose job prospects beyond this season may
hinge on ending the club’s 34-year wait for a major trophy, said:
“Benjani came in and took his goal really well. “He looked good
throughout the game and I was pleased with his display.
He’s shown me what he can do and that can only be good for the club
and log may it continue.”
Mancini intends to watch Manchester United when City’s local rivals
face Leeds United in the third round of the FA Cup at Old Trafford on
Sunday.
City’s latest manager has won his three games in charge without
conceding a goal, but knows he faces by far the sternest test of his
short reign in the first-leg at Eastlands as injuries begin to hurt even
a squad with his club’s strength in depth City.
After introducing Gareth Barry, Carlos Tevez and Craig Bellamy from
the bench in the second-half against Middlesbrough, Mancini said: “We’ve
got a big problem at the moment because we have a lot of players injured
so I made changes today because I can’t play my players all the time.
AFP |