A wonder goal from Wayne Rooney gave Manchester United victory at Old Trafford on Saturday after David Silva had cancelled out Nani's opener for the home side.

Tomorrow City are back in action when the face Aris Salonika in the first leg of their Europa League last-32 tie.

And Mancini was in bullish mood at the pre-match press conference after the squad landed in Greece.

"Do I think we are still mentally strong? I do not think that will be a problem," said the Italian.

"We played very well against United and the defeat was hard to take. But now we have another important game to focus on.

"We have three days to prepare for this game and we know it will be very difficult. Aris are a good team with good players and have already beaten Atletico Madrid.

"But this is an important time for us and need to start a winning run. If we play like we did against United we can win a lot of games."

Told that Aris had a 24-match unbeaten run in European competition stretching back over 40 years at their Kleanthis Vikelidis Stadium, Mancini responded: "There is always a first time."

Defender Joleon Lescott echoed the mood of optimism in the camp ahead of the game after finding himself in Rooney's slipstream as the England striker fired the winner.

Lescott said: "I spoke with Nemanja Vidic after the game and, while we were disappointed, I do not think we could have done anything about it.

"I don't think Wayne will be able to do that again so soon. It was one of those goals by special players. They do big things and score big goals at the right time.

"But we have to get United out of our system and focus on tomorrow. It helps we have a game so soon, so let's try to get back to winning ways..

"We don't feel the Premier League title has gone but is will be much harder. We feel confident going into every game we can beat the team we are up against."

James Milner has been ruled out with a hamstring injury while Nigel de Jong remains sidelined with an ankle problem.

Shaun Wright-Phillips is expected to start after impressing Mancini when he came on in the second half on Saturday.

With Adam Johnson injured, Wright-Phillips looks to have been given a second chance after handing in a transfer request that was rejected.

Mancini said: "When Shaun played in the second half he played very well and was very important to us.

"I said 20 days ago when we lost Adam Johnson that we could have a problem, because he could have changed this game.

"But we don't have him in this moment and it is maybe important that Shaun can play now."

Mancini has named a strong squad for the game as City resume their European campaign after a two-month break.

They have a good record in the competition with only one defeat in eight matches.

Leading scorer Carlos Tevez is included even though he has rarely featured in the competition this season, as is Mario Balotelli following a knee problem.

Tevez will be looking to improve on his 20-goal tally for the season while Balotelli was not involved at Old Trafford.

New signing Edin Dzeko also travelled with the squad as did Jo, who has found himself further down the pecking order.

Midfielder Michael Johnson has received a boost after his injury problems by joining the group.