Manchester City midfielder Samir Nasri slams manager Roberto Mancini

Samir Nasri has labelled Roberto Mancini a liar and cast doubt over his Manchester City future by slamming manager after he questioned his £24million man’s efforts in training.

Nasri turned in a man-of-the-match performance in City’s 4-0 win over Newcastle but his performance did little to please his manager, who claimed that he was so frustrated with the midfielder’s inconsistency he wanted to punch him.

“I would like to give him a punch. Because a player like him should play like this always,” Mancini is quoted as saying.

While Nasri accepts he has not played as well as he could have this season, he is unhappy with the manager’s decision to admit his frustration to the press.

“Mancini has shown a little proof of bad faith when he said he wanted to punch me,” Nasri told French sports broadcaster beIN Sport.

“I’ve not had a good season, I know it, I’m aware of that. I am the first to be self-critical. But it’s not true that I’m playing at 50%.

“I think the coach still doesn’t handle English very well and sometimes uses expressions that aren’t really suitable.”