Pellegrini hails winning mentality

Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini has claimed his players have a stronger winning mentality than their Manchester United counterparts.There was a feeling City lacked the mental toughness of their rivals last season as they meekly surrendered the Barclays Premier League title they won in 2012.Pellegrini does not share that view of the squad he inherited in the summer and is bullish of his side's chances ahead of Sunday's eagerly-anticipated Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium.The Chilean said: "I don't know what happened in the past but I know that our mentality in this moment is very strong, so strong or more strong than Manchester United."City finished 11 points behind champions United last season.The significance of this weekend's derby in local terms and in the wider context of the title race is not lost on Pellegrini.The 60-year-old said: "I don't need to be here to know how important the derby is, but working here and living here I know it is a special game."It is a match of six points. It is very important to win (against) one of the most important teams."It is more important to win than not to lose."Pellegrini may be new to the Manchester derby but he is no stranger to big rivalries having previously managed at Real Madrid and River Plate.

Source: PA