Balotelli to keep cool against United

Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli intends to keep his cool in his side's top-of-the-table derby clash with Manchester United on Sunday.

After a run-in with the Aston Villa fans in the English Premier League on Saturday and a history of ill-tempered behaviour, the Italian is determined to keep his emotions in check against a side he has had rows with in the past.

During the sides' 2011 FA Cup semi-final in March, the enigmatic forward clashed with United captain Rio Ferdinand, but has since declared there is no rift between the pair.

"They (United players) can say what they want. I won't say anything to them. I will be focused on the game. All that matters is the result, nothing else. After the game I might think about the supporters but not during it or before," Balotelli told The Guardian.

"I don't have anything against (Ferdinand). He is a great player. I didn't ever speak to him (at Wembley). I was just celebrating, but not against them (United supporters). I showed him the shirt of City and obviously he got angry with me."

"For me, what happened on the pitch stayed on the pitch and now we are friends like before. Or we respect each other, anyway. I'm going to give him the handshake before the game like I give to everyone."

Balotelli talked up the rivalry ahead of what could prove to be one of the most important derbies in recent history, with City two points clear of United on top of the Premier League table.

He believes the clash would soon become the 'biggest derby in the world'.

"I think we can beat them," Balotelli said. "I think it will be a lot of fun - and soon United v City will be the biggest derby in the world."

Balotelli has benefited from the absence of out-of-favour striker Carlos Tevez, scoring four goals in his last four appearances.

"With (manager Roberto) Mancini I feel very comfortable," he said. "I've known him a long time and he's a good manager. He believes in me. Even when no one in England believed in me, he did. And he kept on believing. I want to do something important here with him."