Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has said that he may be the only person who trusts controversial striker Mario Balotelli.

The Italian has been involved in a number of incidents on and off the pitch since his £20m move from Inter Milan in 2010.

Speculation over the 21-year-old's future has been rife since his sending off against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium at the start of the month.

However, Mancini has now backed his countryman to behave himself should he select him for City's potential title decider against local rivals Manchester United on Monday night.

"Maybe I am the only man in football who trusts Mario," Mancini told The Mirror. "But in this game I think, yes, you can trust him. Mario as usual is training well.

"In one game he can score two or three goals – this is the manager's problem. Mario has apologised to me for the red card at Arsenal, yes. He has been training well."

Balotelli has scored 18 goals for the Citizens in all competitions this season.