United's date in Madrid could be a boost for Manchester City
With Ferguson's team distracted by Champions League tie with Real, Mancini's players will be looking to cash in and close gap at top of table
Manchester City hope to capitalise on Manchester United's Champions League distractions by re-launching the defence of their Premier League title, starting with today's trip to Southampton.
City's 2-2 draw at home to Liverpool last weekend enabled United to stretch their advantage at the top of the table to nine points, with only 13 games of the season remaining.
However, while United will have half an eye on Wednesday's trip to Real Madrid when they host Everton tomorrow, City's own failure in the Champions League means their agenda is free of European commitments.
Aside from a home game against second-tier Leeds United in the FA Cup on February 17, City can therefore channel all their resources into the pursuit of United.
Ivory Coast's quarter-final exit at the Africa Cup of Nations means that City manager Roberto Mancini will have both Yaya and Kolo Toure at his disposal for today's visit to the English south coast.
Yaya Toure played a key role in last season's drive to the title, when City came from eight points behind to pip United on the final day, and he says the experience of the 2011-12 campaign proves it is too early to abandon hope.