Roberto Mancini Claims 'the Rules Are Not the Same for Everyone'

Roberto Mancini refused to say it directly, but in claiming that "the rules are not the same for everyone" he cast a suspicious eye on recent decisions involving league leaders Manchester United.

In a press conference ahead of Manchester City's weekend match against Wolverhampton, Mancini discussed some recent "strange" situations.

The City manager said, "After the games that I saw, after some situations that I saw in the last three or four weeks, I think it is very difficult for us."

When pressed further, Mancini admitted frustration saying, "the rules are not the same for everyone."

In recent weeks, Manchester United has received a pair of controversial penalties involving Ashley Young.

In the first, Young was clearly offside as he cut across the top of the area to receive a ball early in United's game against QPR. The assistant failed to raise his flag and Young subsequently threw himself to the ground after the lightest hand on his shoulder from Rangers' defender Shaun Derry.

Referee Lee Mason awarded the penalty kick and showed Derry a red card for denial of a goalscoring opportunity.

The second came on Sunday when Young cut into the area around Aston Villa's Ciaran Clark. Clark appeared to make light contact as the United man skipped past him and Young's spread eagle dive to the turf drew the penalty as well as widespread criticism.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson admits that Young "made the most" of the contact on the latter occasion.

As a result, Ferguson told MANUTD.com at Old Trafford today, "I've had a word with Ashley. He understands where we're coming from and I hope it makes a difference."

But the United boss has insisted referees' decisions even themselves out over the course of a season.

With four matches left in the season, Manchester City trail United by five points at the top of the table.

While both teams have a match this weekend, Roberto Mancini will hope that his comments stick in the ears of the officiating crew who take the field for what could prove a decisive Manchester derby on April 30th.