Robinho looks away from Mancini after being replaced in the Everton defeat

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini insisted Robinho still has a future at the club after he was humiliatingly substituted at Everton on Saturday.

The Brazilian international replaced the injured Roque Santa Cruz after nine minutes - but was himself substituted on the hour by Shaun Wright-Phillips.

"Is it the end of the line for Robinho? No. He is a good player," said Mancini, after City's 2-0 defeat.

"Like everyone in the squad, he needs to work hard and play well."

Mancini added: "I had [Craig] Bellamy, Benjani [Mwaruwari], [Carlos] Tevez, Robinho - all strikers - so I decided to take one off.".

PHIL MCNULTY BLOG Mancini was not posturing or grandstanding by taking off the £32.5m striker. He was doing the right thing - strong management in action

Robinho, 25, who has failed to score for City since May 2009, was recently linked with a move to Barcelona.

However, the Spanish club called off their attempt to sign the Brazilian.

Robinho told BBC Sport in December 2009 that his long-term future was at the Manchester club, despite failing to reach the expected heights there.

"I am very happy here. I think I [will] stay here five years or 10 years, I don't know," he told Football Focus.

"My family is very happy, the fans love me and I love the fans."

The striker joined City from Real Madrid in August 2008 for a British record fee of £32.5m.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version