ROBERTO MANCINI wants Wayne Rooney to face his Manchester City side on Saturday – so there will be no excuses from Manchester United if they lose.

Rooney has been an influential figure for the faltering champions this season, scoring 34 goals in all competitions. However, he has been troubled by an ankle injury and sat out the goalless draw against Blackburn on Sunday.

United would appear to need Rooney more than ever as Chelsea’s victory against Bolton last night took them four points clear of Alex Ferguson’s side with only four games remaining.

City have already beaten United at home this season in the League Cup with Rooney playing and Italian manager Mancini does not see why his team cannot repeat that win again.

“I think it is better if Rooney plays on Saturday,” he said. “He is a fantastic player and has had an amazing season. He will be a danger, of course, but United have many fine players in their team – but we have beaten them once at home already and can do it again.

“I think it is best if both teams are full strength and then the side who takes the three points can truly say the best team won and there is no reason that cannot be us.”

Mancini enjoys derby day and was in charge of numerous Milan battles and believes there are many similarities between the two big city clashes. “Supporters live for these games and look forward to them more than any other match each year, ” he said. “It is about passion and desire and results do not always go to form.

“Of course, this isn’t just a game about local pride, we want to finish in fourth place and every match from now until the last will be just as important.

“We need our fans to keep doing what they do each week and get right behind the team from the first minute to the last. They can inspire us to even greater heights and they have a huge role to play against United.”

Meanwhile, Alisher Usmanov, one of Arsenal’s largest shareholders, is keeping all his options open as speculation over the ownership of the club intensifies.

Red White Holdings is the investment vehicle for the Russian steel magnate, who has a 26.3 per cent stake in the London club.

A statement yesterday said Red White was “a committed long-term investor in Arsenal” which “retains all its options” and stressed that “no particular course of action is ruled in or out”.