Manchester City face battle to retain title, says Mancini

MANCHESTER, United Kingdom, (AFP) - Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini believes defending the Premier League trophy will be harder than clinching the club's first title in 44 years.

City ended their long wait to be crowned kings of English football in the dying seconds of last season with two goals in stoppage-time to beat QPR 3-2 and pip bitter rivals Manchester United on goal difference.

But now United have key defender Nemanja Vidic back to fitness after missing half of last season and have also beaten City in the race to sign Dutch striker Robin van Persie from Arsenal.

Van Persie was a long-time target for Mancini only for United boss Sir Alex Ferguson to clinch the 24 million pound (S$47.1 million) deal this week.