Balo on borrowed time

Mario Balotelli’s Manchester City future was in the balance after manager Roberto Mancini admitted his patience with the striker was wearing thin.

Balotelli was sent off for the third time this season in City’s 1-0 defeat at Arsenal on Sunday that left them eight points behind leaders Manchester United with six games left and hopes of a first English title in 44 years all but extinguished.

The Italy forward was fortunate to avoid being dismissed for a 20th minute challenge on Alex Song that went apparently unseen by referee Martin Atkinson but could be subject to further review by the FA, raising the possibility of Balotelli being suspended for City’s remaining fixtures.

Mancini has repeatedly backed Balotelli, despite the player attracting controversy on and off the pitch.

But after Sunday’s match he insisted his compatriot must change his ways while admitting Balotelli could be sold come the end of this season.

“We have six games and he will not play in the next six games,” Mancini said of Balotelli, although a City official said that was because he expected the FA to take severe disciplinary action against the 21-year-old, who is facing a minimum three-game ban.

“But I love him as a guy, I love him as a player, because I know him. He’s not a bad guy. He’s a fantastic player.

“But, at this moment, I’m very sorry because he continues to lose his talent, his quality.

“I hope, for him, that he can understand that he’s in a bad way for his future, and he can change his behaviour.”

Asked if Balotelli would be sold, Mancini added: “Probably – but I don’t know. It depends, because Balotelli is a fantastic player.

“It’s clear he’s created big problems, but he’s scored important goals. He’s made mistakes, he’s young, he doesn’t understand it here (England).”

Mancini’s own position will now be examined, but the manager insisted he should be given more time by City’s wealthy United Arab Emirates based-owner Sheikh Mansour.

“Sure, 100 per cent,” he said when asked if he was the right man for the job.

“When I arrived, Manchester City were seventh or eighth. Second year, we were second and won the FA Cup.

“Today, we have 15 points more than last year.”