Fabricio Coloccini: Blackburn shock will unsettle Manchester United

Warning shot: Fabricio Coloccini is ready for United
Andrew Hodgson11 April 2012

Fabricio Coloccini says Manchester United's defeat by Blackburn last weekend has given Newcastle the edge ahead of the champions' visit to the north-east tonight.

Rovers' 3-2 win at Old Trafford was the first time United had failed to gain maximum points from a League fixture since their 1-1 draw with 10-man Newcastle in November.

Newcastle defender Coloccini says the heat is now on their opponents. "They will be more pressured because they have just lost at Old Trafford and they already know how Man City got on last night with their win over Liverpool," said the 29-year-old. "That is a small advantage for us but to beat them we will have to give everything on the pitch. At St James' Park and with the atmosphere there, we should be able to beat any rival."

Meanwhile, Roberto Mancini believes Man City can win the Premier League if they are still top this time next month and the 3-0 win over Kenny Dalglish's team at the Etihad Stadium restored a three-point gap over Man United.

City will lose Yaya Toure, scorer of the second goal last night, and his brother Kolo to the African Nations Cup after this weekend's FA Cup third-round tie against United but despite that Mancini is upbeat.

He said: "January is a crucial month for us because if we can stay on the top after January we have a big chance to win [the League]."

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