Mancini explains Johnson transfer

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini insists he did not force midfielder Adam Johnson out of the side.

The Italian admitted that the England international had grown frustrated with his lack of first team opportunities at City and now faces the man he sold to Sunderland for 10 million pounds in the summer for the second time since his departure.

“I didn’t say to him to leave. Adam said he wanted to always play and for that reason I let him go,” Mancini told reporters.

The 24-year-old has made a quiet start to life at the Stadium of
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Light, scoring two goals in 15 appearances in the league this season and has seen his international opportunities dwindle as a consequence.

“For me Adam was an important player but I understand the situation,” Mancini said.

“He is young, he wants to play every game.”

Mancini’s side are second in the league heading into the Boxing Day fixtures, four points behind leaders Manchester United having gained two points on them after their rivals’ 1-1 draw at Swansea on Sunday.