Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has praised Roberto Mancini for his handling of the Carlos Tevez fallout, describing the Italian's actions as "strong management".
After the Argentinian reportedly refused to feature for Manchester City in Munich on Tuesday, Mancini said he was "finished" with the forward.
Fellow Manchester manager Ferguson did not speak directly of former United player Tevez but appeared to support Mancini's decision-making.
"I think that Roberto Mancini has come out and shown his strength of character, his strength of management and I think that is important," said Ferguson.
"We have all experienced our own difficulties in management and you cope with it as best as you can.
"In my own experience strong management is important and there is nobody more important than the manager at a football club."
Tevez, 27, has been suspended for two weeks by City while they investigate the situation.