Roberto Mancini's job at Manchester City is on the line.

The Daily Mail says City would be reluctant to sack the Italian even if he fails to beat neighbours Manchester United to the Premier League title and ends a promising campaign empty-handed.

But if their season continues to unravel as it has in recent weeks, it will factor prominently in their thinking when senior figures sit down next month to assess the club's progress since finishing third and winning the FA Cup in May.