Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini on Friday said he hoped rivals United go all the way in the Champions League as it would boost the Blues' Premier League hopes.
.
Manchester City head into their trip to Southampton on Saturday nine points behind Alex Ferguson's side, who host Everton on Sunday, amid doubts that they will be able to pull back the deficit and retain the title they won last year, with 13 games to play.
.
But despite two draws in their last outings, Mancini refused to write off his team's chances and believes a Champions League run for United - which starts on Wednesday with a last 16 first leg at Real Madrid - can help City in the league.
.
'' If Manchester United draw or lose at Everton, the title race is re-opened. It is clear we need to do better than in the last two games '', he told a news conference.
.
'' We support United to go through in the Champions League. At the end of the day, if United win all the games from now to the end in the Premier League they deserve to win ''.