[attach id=247897 size="medium"]City keeper Costel Pantilimon in action against Chelsea on Sunday.[/attach]

Man. City manager Roberto Mancini has set his team the task of proving they are not as inferior to Man. United as the Premier League table suggests in addition to lifting the FA Cup next month.

City’s 2-1 win over Chelsea at Wembley booked a return trip to face neighbours Wigan on May 11.

Strangely, the Latics also provide City’s opposition tomorrow, when Mancini’s men will attempt to delay United’s title celebrations, which could be launched as early as next weekend.

Mancini does not want that to happen. For while he has given up any hope of the Blues retaining their crown, he is not ready to hand the trophy over just yet.

“United deserve to win this title but we deserve to fight until the last two or three games,” said Mancini.

“Our target at the start of the season was the Premier League and FA Cup. We knew the Champions League would be difficult.

“We had a chance to win another Premier League if we worked well last summer. But we didn’t. We made some mistakes. We are frustrated about that but we know we are a good team.

“We want to win the FA Cup final and we have a chance to finish second and show we don’t deserve to be 15 points behind.”

After 35 years without any silverware of any description, City could claim their third major prize in as many seasons by beating Wigan.

Yet it appears they will do so without Joe Hart, as back-up keeper Costel Pantilimon is set to keep his place for the final.

“Costel did very well,” said Mancini.

“He is a good keeper and he deserves this situation because he has been here for two years and has done very well behind Joe Hart.

“It is a good situation for Joe too. We have four weeks to the final but I think it will be Costel Pantilimon.”