Sir Alex Ferguson takes a swipe at Mancini; claims RVP was never going to Manchester City

Sir Alex Ferguson has added fire to the fuel ahead of tonight’s feisty Manchester derby by claiming Robin van Persie was never heading to Manchester City ahead of United.

City boss Roberto Mancini had earlier in the season suggested United’s signing of Van Persie from Arsenal has been the only difference in the title race this season. Add to that Mancini’s public admission that he wanted to sign Robin van Persie will only increase the tension between the two.

Ferguson said in a press conference: ‘It’s hypothetical; he was never going to City.’

‘He’s been fantastic for us, a really good footballer. We needed a bit of maturity up front and he’s been terrific.

‘The improvement is not just through Robin but even when he doesn’t score he’s a fantastic footballer.’

Earlier Mancini had said: ‘We had a chance to get three or four players who could have improved our team but we didn’t in the end.’