Mancini supports pre-match drinking

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has told his players he has no problem if they want a drink before the game.

The new Eastlands boss reckons it is normal for his squad to have a bit of alcohol with their pre-match meal.

Mancini, 45, was stunned when he sat down to eat with his players and discovered no alcohol on the table ahead of games and he intends to put it right.

"I have found myself in a very different world and I am trying to adapt without changing the rules. Let me give you an example. Food before a match, I will sort that out calmly," The Sun quoted Mancini, as saying.

"For example you need chicken, pizza, carbohydrates - even a glass of wine but that's not on the table!"

Most Premier League managers like Tottenham's Harry Redknapp and Arsenal's Arsene Wenger do not want their players to drink at all.

Spurs have a 48-hour booze ban ahead of games and Gunners boss Wenger even gets his players to monitor their urine to make sure they are hydrated.