Man City- Balotelli anatunyima ubingwa

ANGRY Manchester City players believe Mario Balotelli is costing them the title.

And they also blame Roberto Mancini for letting him get away with it. City's boss thinks Manchester United will reclaim their crown if they win their next two games.

There is now a split in the City camp with a growing number of stars suggesting Balotelli's wayward behaviour is tolerated by Mancini.

A source said: "Mario is starting to get on some of the players' nerves.

"He can be a really great character but he seems to think he can live by a different set of rules.

"It isn't good for team spirit when he gets into that place where it really is all about him."

The last straw for fed-up team-mates came on Saturday against Sunderland when he got into a heated bust-up with Aleksandar Kolarov.

Mancini's believes that 3-3 draw with Sunderland — which ended their 100 per cent record at the Etihad in the league this season — will cost them them the title if United win at Blackburn tonight and against QPR on Sunday.

It would leave City EIGHT points adrift before they play their next match at Arsenal at tea-time on Sunday.

Mancini said: "If we go eight points behind then it is finished."

There is now talk Mancini has had enough of Balotelli and will sell him at the end of the season.

But there is no guarantee Mancini will still be there if he fails to lift the Premier League trophy.

Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho is being mentioned as his replacement while Anzhi Makhachkala chief Guus Hiddink could also come into the picture.

The source added: "Mancini is ranting and raving in all directions and seems to be losing control."