Joe Royle blasts Roberto Mancini

Former Manchester City manager Joe Royle has slammed Roberto Mancini for not starting Carlos Tevez in the Manchester derby.

The Argentine was introduced early in the second half for the below-par Mario Balotelli with City trailing 2-0, before inspiring the champions to level the match at 2-2.

The Citizens ended up losing the match 3-2, but Royle believes that it could have been a different story had Mancini picked Tevez in his starting lineup.

"If I were manager, Tevez would be the first name on my team sheet," Royle told talkSPORT.

"I couldn't care less if he never scored, he creates things for other people by his movement and energy. He creates the pace of the game.

"You can't play a pressing game if one player isn't pressing because there is always a get out. The great sides play pressing football and you can't do that if one [Balotelli] is not pressing."

Tevez has scored seven goals in the Premier League so far this season.