Manchester City v Manchester United: Carlos Tévez 'destined' to score decider, says Roberto Mancini Mario Balotelli's dismissal during the 1-0 defeat at Arsenal earlier this month, which saw City fall eight points adrift of United, triggered Tévez's recall by Mancini following his return from an unauthorised three-month break in Buenos Aires in February. Despite Mancini's much-criticised indulgence of Balotelli, who is set to be on the bench tonight after serving a three-match suspension, the manager insists that Tévez would have returned to the team after the Arsenal defeat, regardless of Balotelli's availability. I thought it was the time for Carlos to play anyway. But remember we also played well with Mario in the team. The problem with Mario is that he can get a red card at any moment on the pitch, in the tunnel or even in the dressing room! City's revival in the title race has coincided with United's loss of form, which has seen the champions lose at Wigan and draw 4-4 at home to Everton, thereby seeing an eight-point lead shrink to three ahead of tonight's game. A draw or a win will put United within sight of the title. United are set to have Nani available after a fitness scare but have Phil Jones on standby in case Jonny Evans fails a test on a bruised foot. Ferguson is understood to be preparing his team to approach the fixture in the same manner as a Champions League second leg, with United knowing that one goal for them would leave City needing to score twice. With Chris Smalling set to replace Rafael at right-back and Park in line for his first start since mid-March, United appear determined to play it tight after losing 6-1 to City at Old Trafford. But after seemingly building a decisive lead over their neighbours, Ryan Giggs admits United have been frustrated by their failure to finish City off. "It's a bit frustrating, but there's nothing we can do about it now," he said. It's still in our hands and if we win, we'll be in a brilliant position. It could have been better, but it's not and we realise that. We're under no illusions that it's a tough game, but it'll be tough for City as well. They're a good side. They were on fire pre-Christmas and we were just trying to hang on really. We managed to do that and we've come into form in the second half of the season. It's come down to this now. We're neck and neck and it's about whoever puts in the performance on Monday. We have experience when it comes to winning titles, but City have got experienced players who have maybe won titles with other clubs. We just need to make sure our experience works for us. City owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al Nahyan, who has attended just one fixture since buying the club in September 2008, is understood to be considering flying in for tonight's game, although security issues surrounding any visit ensure that even senior officials would be unaware of confirmed plans until the final hours before kick-off. The Sheikh issued a rare statement of support for Mancini and the team last week, but the City manager insists that, whether he succeeds or fails this season, the club is set for bigger things in the future. I heard what the Sheikh said. Even if he hadn't said it, I was relaxed about my position. I think the Sheikh and chairman Khaldoon al Mubarak are happy with what we have done this season. If we win the title, there can be no debate about who is the No 1 team in Manchester for this year at least.