Mancini backs struggling Robinho

Struggling striker Robinho has a future at Manchester City, insists the club’s manager Roberto Mancini. The Brazilian superstar was humiliatingly substituted after an hour during City’s 2-0 loss to Everton on Saturday. "Is it the end of the line for Robinho? No. He is a good player," said Mancini after the loss at Goodison Park. "Like everyone in the squad, he needs to work hard and play well." The 25-year-old, who cost City a British record fee of £32.5m, has not scored for the club since May 2009. "I had Bellamy, Benjani, Tevez, and Robinho - all strikers - so I decided to take one off,” added Mancini. Robinho has been strongly linked with a move to Barcelona.