FA Cup - Mancini happy to draw United

EUROSPORT-Roberto Mancini looked ahead to a "great semi-final" against FA Cup opponents Manchester United before admitting it will be next year before his Manchester City side can compete at the same level as their neighbours.
In Mancini's short time at City alone, the Blues have suffered four agonising defeats to the men from Old Trafford, the latest coming last month when Wayne Rooney's wonder goal settled matters.
Now Mancini's side have another opportunity to redress the balance slightly after Micah Richards' 73rd-minute winner allowed them to stride past Reading and book a last-four meeting with Sir Alex Ferguson's men at Wembley on April 16 or 17.
"It is a great semi-final," he said. "You could see what it meant to the fans at the end. We are very close with all the top squads but we need to improve more and maybe next year we will be at the same level.
"But it is important that we played a good game at Old Trafford last time and we have a chance to win, like them."
Meanwhile, Reading manager Brian McDermott could not hide his disappointment after seeing his side edged out.
"I thought we were going to get at least a draw," he said. "We pushed Manchester City a long way and if Tevez had beaten five and Silva had produced a piece of magic it would have been a bit different but to lose at a set play was galling.
"You could see what it meant to them the way they celebrated at the end.
"Unfortunately, you are not going to get the semi-final everyone wanted; Manchester United versus Reading."