[Reprint from Guardian]
Roberto Mancini is refusing to give up Manchester City's title challenge. The Italian pointed to how Chelsea closed the gap to Manchester United from nine points with six games remaining of last season to three points when they played Sir Alex Ferguson's side three matches from the end of that campaign.
City are currently eight points behind United and are due to play them three matches from the close of the season. As the champions travel to Wigan Athletic on Wednesdaythis evening City host West Bromwich Albion and Mancini said: "It's not easy, but we need to think positively. I'm proud of all my players for what we did until today. We now need to continue to win to get the maximum points we can. Then we will see.
"I will never say we can't win the league if there is still a chance. That is not my life, never. Also last year, if you remember, six games to the end Chelsea were six or seven points [behind]. But they went to Manchester three games to the end three points behind. We are professional, we need to finish well and we need to win the games we have left."
Mancini may be without Yaya Touré who is a doubt after limping out of the 1-0 loss at Arsenal on Sunday with the midfielder not training on Tuesday. While David Silva, who missed that match with a knee problem, did train, Mancini added: "It's [the title] not over. In football it's never finished. For this reason, I believe always. But we did a fantastic season and we need to finish well."
United could clinch their 20th championship at the Etihad Stadium during that derby but Mancini said of this prospect: "I don't know this. I just know today we have 15 points more than we had at this stage last year.
"So I can say we did well. Now it's clearly difficult for us to win the title. But we hope they can lose three or four points before the derby and after that we'll see. I repeat, six games to the end. 18 points. Never say never."
Rio Ferdinand, who has recovered well from the back injuries that have plagued him during recent seasons, stated that he has no plans for retirement. "I am not thinking about retirement. I am trying to play as long as I can. I have another year after this [on his contract] and I want to do another 10," the 33-year-old joked. "But whenever it is, I would want to go out on a high note."
（一个慢牛）
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