Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini insists he is happy with Carlos Tevez.

The Telegraph says Mancini and senior figures at City view Tevez's critical comments this week as nothing more than loyalty to former manager Mark Hughes, who lured the player from Old Trafford last summer.

Mancini said: "Carlos is already an important player for us, but he could improve over the next year.

"He has already improved this year, because he has never scored 28 goals before. I am happy about that.

"When you pick the top players, you pick (Wayne) Rooney, Messi and Tevez. Messi is the best at the moment, but Carlos and Rooney are very, very close."