Despite struggling this season, Roberto Mancini insists Manchester City will soon be the dominant force in English football.

Mancini snatched Manchester United's crown last season as he delivered City's first top-flight title for 44 years.

That success came after FA Cup glory in 2011. And, on the third anniversary of him taking charge at the Etihad, the Italian has challenged his players to stay on top of rivals United - and the rest of the chasing pack.

Mancini, 48, said: "We have won trophies and I think we can continue to win in the future. I think we need to win more and more.

"It is easy to arrive on top but it will be more difficult to stay there for a long time. This is the big challenge for us.

"I think now our target will be to win the second title because to win two titles in a row will be very important.

"I think we will win, if we work better than in the first five months of the season and forget what we did last year.

"If we win it that will be even better than winning the first title."