Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini insists Mario Balotelli left the club for AC Milan on good terms.

Mancini played down a training ground bust-up with Balotelli in the days prior to his eventual departure.

Photographers caught the incident at the club's training ground in January, with the pair having to be split up by members of the City coaching staff.

"Those were lies reported by the tabloids and photographers who were here, because there was absolutely nothing," said Mancini of the incident.

"We were playing a training match, we were playing in opposing teams, he made a foul and I shoved him and sent him away.

"Mario has improved but I think he won't change at all, he will continue to make faults even when he is 30.

"But the important thing is that he understands that he can and should give more on the field, because the best is expected from a player like him every time."