Mancini, Balotelli fight

gesticulate wildly at the striker as the pair clashed in front of stunned teammates at the club’s Carrington base.

The 22-year-old Italian striker was then seen being restrained and led away by a member of staff, believed to be Massimo Battara, in shocking scenes as City prepared their FA Cup third round clash with Watford.

Mancini reacted furiously following a tackle from Balotelli on a teammate said to be Scott Sinclair, once again putting the Italian’s future at the club in doubt.

A picture agency has released photographs it says were taken yesterday morning of the pair having to be separated by staff and teammates at Carrington training ground.
City have declined to comment.

Striker Balotelli (22) has been involved in a series of controversies during his time at the club.
The pictures appear to show Mancini shouting and gesticulating towards Balotelli.

One photograph shows the pair face to face with Mancini pulling Balotelli’s training bib.
Another picture appears to show Balotelli being pulled away by a member of staff.
The drama comes just after former teammate Zlatan Ibrahimovic claimed Balotelli offered City the best chance of retaining their English Premier League title.

He believes Mancini should continue to take the rough with the smooth and persist with the precociously talented striker.

“If you ever spend any time with Mario then you love Mario,” said the 31-year-old Swede, who has been no stranger to controversy himself during a 13-year career at the highest level.

“Even though he is not always the easiest player for the coach to manage, speak to any of his old coaches like Jose (former Inter and current Real Madrid boss Mourinho) and they will tell you when you work with Mario you always have a smile on your face.”

Ibrahimovic, who has netted 18 goals in just 16 games for Paris Saint-Germain this season, believes that Balotelli can inspire City to claw back the seven-point lead Manchester United currently hold over them in the title race.

“He is a special player and a special talent,” added the former Milan, Barcelona and Juventus man. “When Mario plays like he can he will hurt any team in the world.

“Manchester City are already a way behind Manchester United in the Premier League — but if any player can retain the title for them it is Mario. All the class that Manchester City have I would still say Mario is the most capable.”

Ibrahimovic — who scored a stunning long-range overhead kick against England in November — also revealed that he helped Mancini to nurture Balotelli when the trio were together at the San Siro.
“I tried to help Mario because it is true he does sometimes make decisions in the moment — but that is his personality,” he added.

“Roberto will know the same as me that the way to get the best out of Mario is to love him. That is what he will react best to — and if they can get Mario playing at his best then Manchester City still have a big chance.” — Mailonline-BBC Sport.