Rodgers rejects Mancini mind games

Swansea manager Brendan Rodgers has warned Manchester United to expect a ‘dangerous game’ when his side travel to Old Trafford on Sunday.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s men must claim all three points to keep pace with table-toppers Manchester City and boss Roberto Mancini has repeatedly described Sunday’s game against Swansea as ‘easy’ for the home side.

But Rodgers has insisted that is far from the truth, instead saying that his team can play without fear now their top-flight status is secure.

“It shows the magnitude of what our players have put in that with these last couple of games against the most decorated clubs in the history of English football we can go and play with a freedom,” he told Sky Sports.

“If you look at Wolves, who were 3-0 and 4-1 down against us last week and came back to draw, they had a freedom. You run and play with nothing to lose.

“That’s why it’s not an easy game, but a dangerous game for Manchester United.

“We have freedom. We play with freedom anyway but we have been cut loose from things that sometimes can hold you back and we can go and play.”

Swansea have struggled of late, with just one win in their last seven, but Rodgers said the prospect of beating the reigning champions is enough motivation to bring the best out of his players.

“It is a great game to be involved in and it is brilliant for the players,” he added.

“We want to go up and perform and really finish off the season like how we’ve been for the majority.

“There’s no doubt we are not going there with nothing to play for – for me there’s everything to play for because we want to carry it on into next season.

“The players want to pit themselves at the top end of things and to have a say in it (the title race) is a great feeling.”