Roberto Mancini has shouldered the blame for Scott Sinclair’s disappointing debut season at Manchester City, as they prepare to face his former club, Swansea City.
Sinclair shone at the Liberty Stadium last year and earned himself a move to the North West, in a deal worth £6million.
The winger has gone on to make just two Premier League starts this season, but Mancini insisted this is not a reflection on his quality or attitude.
“The situation with Sinclair is difficult because I didn’t give him a lot of chances to play,” said the Italian. “It’s not his fault, it’s my fault.
“A young player like Scott deserves to play – for him it was a really difficult year.
“We have one team, we have players that we know very well and for him it was difficult. He did everything well, he worked well, he’s a good guy, he deserves to play.
“I can understand when a player can’t play often it is difficult to show how good he is.”
There has been much speculation about whether Sinclair’s future lies at the Etihad Stadium, following the lack of game time this season.
Mancini said he would offer those who have failed to break into the first team a chance to play the last two games of the season, should City cement second place this weekend.
However, he also hinted at the fact the 24-year-old may be able to force a move away from the club at the end of the season.
“I think it’s better maybe if he can have another solution,” added Mancini.
“If he stays here maybe everything can change, but I can understand his frustration in this moment because he didn’t play a lot of games.”
Image courtesy of CityTV, with thanks.
For more on this story and many others, follow Mancunian Matters on Twitter and Facebook.
