Source: Daily_Mail
Wayne Rooney is not even the best striker in Manchester, claims Mario Balotelli
Mario Balotelli's injured knee sidelined him again at Eastlands last night but the Italian striker has set up a tantalising showdown against Wayne Rooney in three weeks by suggesting the England forward is not even the best goalscorer in Manchester.[LNB]The City star said yesterday his knee should not require surgery, putting him in line for a possible return in the Manchester derby on February 12 at Old Trafford. [LNB]That would guarantee Balotelli a lively reception from Rooney, who he says is inferior to him and fellow City forwards Carlos Tevez and Edin Dzeko. He also says United fans have asked him to join their team. [LNB]Balotelli said: 'Rooney's good, but he is not the best in Manchester. Think about this one: Balotelli-Tevez-Dzeko. Is it not good enough?[LNB]Balotelli: I'll leave Manchester City and join AC Milan in two years Under attack: Mario Balotelli claims England star Wayne Rooney is not even the best striker in Manchester[LNB]'Can you see anything better than this in the world? Me neither, not even at Barcelona or Real Madrid. [LNB]'We are stronger. We only lack conviction, the rest is all here. We can win now. Dzeko is a good person. [LNB]'United fans, they stop me in the street and tell me, 'Mario, come to United'. Honestly.[LNB]'But I'm dreaming of beating United, because I know how much this means to our fans. They are splendid with me.'[LNB]Balotelli has been told he may needthe second operation of his season if his right knee does not respondto a period of inactivity. The 20-year-old, though, has already ruledout surgery. [LNB]In an interview in Italy, he said:'I still feel some discomfort, but the meniscus is fine. There is noneed for another operation, only treatment and strengthening. A fewweeks and I'll be back.' [LNB]Balotelli has scored eight goalsduring his short time in England but is proving injury prone anddifficult to handle for City manager Roberto Mancini.[LNB] Comeback trail: The Italian striker is hoping to return for Manchester City in the coming weeks from a knee injury[LNB]Having managed Balotelli at InterMilan, Mancini is revered by the young forward. Yesterday the forwardsuggested Mancini was far superior to his last Inter coach, JoseMourinho, but it is clear his problems with homesickness in Englandhave troubled him.[LNB]Asked about the issue, Balotellisaid: 'Sometimes I just had no wish to do anything at all, I'd shutmyself inside my flat. Even Mancini's sons were trying to get me tocome out. It's still early, though. For this year and one more I'llstay at City, where I feel well.[LNB]'I live right in the centre ofManchester, in a modern building, with a splendid view. One day mybrother Giovanni was in the street, looked up and said to hisgirlfriend, 'How nice, Camilla. Look, they're doing fireworks inManchester.' But it was me, shooting them off from the ninth floor.[LNB]'The neighbours adore me, though.When I score they stick little congratulatory notes to my door. AtChristmas they presented me with bottles of wine. But I do not drink. [LNB]'Mancini's the most important coachI've had. He'll become No 1 in the world. But, in terms of humanqualities, he is 2km ahead of Mourinho. Wait, make that 10km. [LNB]'Mourinho is the No 1 coach in theworld but, as a man, he still has to learn manners and respect. Mancinicontinually repeats to me, 'When I joined Sampdoria from Bologna (earlyin his career) I already felt I was the best of all, then I realisedhow hard I had to work to improve'. 'I've got the message.' [LNB] Enlarge In a wide-ranging interview,Balotelli revealed that he rates United's Nemanja Vidic as the bestdefender in the Barclays Premier League and also says he was surprisedby the ability of City teammate Adam Johnson. 'He has great technique,'he said.[LNB]Balotelli said he has a quad bikethat he has ridden around the centre of Manchester and he has beenlearning English by reading film subtitles.[LNB]As for Mancini's grasp of the language, Balotelli said: 'He must say nothing. His English stinks. But it is improving.[LNB]'But Mancini is lucky. He has an owner who only asks him: 'What do you need?''[LNB] I'll head back to Milan in two years! Balotelli stuns City with fresh pleaFerguson moves for Lyon left-back Bastos as replacement for EvraAll the latest Manchester City news, features and opinionAll the latest Manchester United news, features and opinion [LNB] Explore more:People: Wayne Rooney, Edin Dzeko, Roberto Mancini, Nemanja Vidic, Adam Johnson, Carlos Tevez Places: Manchester, Barcelona, Milan, United Kingdom, Italy
