City have won each of those games, with Tevez scoring four in the process, to cut Manchester United’s lead at the top of the table to three points ahead of tonight’s eagerly-anticipated derby.

The six months Tevez spent out of the side during his infamous dispute with the club may not have been forgotten but Mancini is concerned now only with getting the best out of the Argentine.

When asked if he felt Tevez had played better than expected since his return, Mancini said: “Probably, yes — but I hope in the next three games he continues to do this.u00a0“It is difficult after six months without football to play at this level.”