MANCHESTER UNITED MANAGER Alex Ferguson has hit out at his biggest rival by claiming that Roberto Mancini spent 90 minutes “haranguing” the officials at the Etihad last night.

The Premier League’s top two met in the most important Manchester derby in years and the Citizens leapfrogged their neighbours back into first place with just two games remaining thanks to skipper Vincent Kompany’s header late in the first half.

Both managers were involved in a heated touchline exchange after a late tackle by Nigel de Jong on Danny Welbeck and Ferguson criticised the Italian after the final whistle.

“He refereed the game,” Ferguson said on The Guardian’s website. “He was out on that touchline the whole game haranguing the referee, the fourth official and the linesmen.

The minute I come off the bench for a bad tackle by De Jong on Welbeck, he was out again. He can’t have it both ways. He’s been complaining about referees this season but he won’t be complaining tonight that’s for sure.”

When he comments were put to Mancini, he responded: “Who said this? Him, no? He doesn’t talk with the referee or the fourth official? No, never.

“I didn’t speak with him, he came towards me, but I can understand. I said nothing against him, only spoke to the fourth official.”

Despite being level on points with a superior goal difference, Mancini added that he believes United are still favourites to retain the title.

They play Swansea (home) and Sunderland (away) in their final fixtures while City travel to St James’ Park to face high-flying Newcastle on Sunday before ending the season with the visit of QPR.

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