Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini stands by his shadow selection in defeat to West Bromwich Albion in the Carling Cup.

It is to be hoped owner Sheikh Mansour understands the dilemma.

After spending £1billion on City in just over two years, he was presumably hoping for an early end to the club's lengthy trophy drought.

That now cannot happen until May at the earliest, although Mancini has no regrets.

"I don't regret making the changes," he said. "Saturday is more important, the FA Cup is more important. The Europa League is more important.

"I did not regard this as a necessary sacrifice. We wanted to win. That is why I had four senior players on the bench.

"But I knew there was a chance we could lose because we started with six young players.

"I am happy with these guys. We might have lost the game but they can improve. If they do not play tonight, when will they ever play?"