Manchester City Roberto Mancini has hailed the 'importance' of getting results this month as his side try to close the gap on fierce rivals Manchester United.

The reigning English champions currently sit six points adrift of the Red Devils in the Premier League table following their Manchester derby defeat last weekend.

"We have time to recover all these points but it is important we start now," ESPN quotes Mancini as saying. "It is an important month."

The North-West outfit take on Newcastle United, Sunderland, Norwich City, Arsenal, Reading and Stoke City over the course of this month.