Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini feels Real Madrid can help them get back into the title race.

Manchester United face Madrid home and away in the middle of a busy period of league and Cup games straddling February and March.

Mancini, 48, said: "They are two important games for United so I think that February and March could be the time when it's possible to decide this championship.

"We should fight until April. If they have seven, eight, nine points in April, it could be difficult maybe - but in this moment we have a big chance."