Mancini-Tevez: Foe to friends before Manchester derby

He was accused of 'treating him like a dog.' A day before Manchester City's clash against Manchester United however, coach Roberto Mancini has said that 'Carlos Tevez is destined to score the winner.'

The relationship between the Italian manager and the Argentine striker has been strained for a long time with ugly outbursts from either side of the club. That was in the past.

Come Tuesday and Tevez is expected to be backed fully by Mancini who has a team that has won 16 of their 17 games at home. The other solitary match was a draw. "I think Carlos is destined to score the most important goal in the history of this club. This is my belief," he was quoted as saying by a UK daily.

While Mancini had earlier said that he expects United to claim the title, in the run-up to the derby, the 47-year-old said he wants his side to win and make it a highlight of his career. "(And) if we beat United to the title, it would be the biggest achievement of my career because it is England, it is the best championship in Europe."

Tevez at the other end of the club, was quoted as saying by UK's Mirror that he plans on staying with the club next season. "I've felt great since I came back in February, very relaxed and content and just pleased to be back playing football for Manchester City again," he said adding that his relationship with the manager is fine.

While some are seeing the friendly exchanges as a clever ploy to win City's fans who have been furious with Tevez's conduct in the past, the ardent followers of the club however, would hope that the chemistry clicks to bring Manchetser United down come Tuesday.