Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini knows he faces a balancing act with their Europa League clash against Sporting Lisbon.

Mancini knows victory could hand a league advantage to Manchester United.

Asked if United would have the edge if they go out in Bilbao and City stay in Europe, Mancini replied: "Probably. For this reason, we hope that United will win tomorrow.

"But we don't want to lose a game because it could be a distraction for the Premier League.

"Now we're here for the Europa League and we want to go to the next stage. If we want to be a top team and change our mentality we have to always play to win."