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Roberto Mancini reckons Robin van Persie could deny Manchester City the title

Image: Robin van Persie: In action against City's Matija Nastasic

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini believes Manchester United striker Robin van Persie is the difference between the two teams at the moment.

Mancini has often bemoaned the output of his own strikers in recent weeks. Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez, Edin Dzeko and Mario Balotelli have all struggled for goals of late - a problem highlighted in the shock Boxing Day loss at Sunderland. Dzeko responded by scoring twice at Norwich on Saturday and Aguero was also on target in a 4-3 win. Mancini insists he retains faith in his attacking options even though he did not get the player he wanted last summer. He said: "I am happy, very happy. Last year we were the team that scored the most goals in the Premier League. "But when you can improve your team with another top player, this is important. "With Van Persie we would play with three strikers sometimes."

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