Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
JOSE KEEPS HIS HEAD
He’s perfect Kompany for new era
VINCENT KOMPANY has been a hostage to injury for the past two seasons – but the Manchester City skipper provided a timely reminder of his enduring value last night with a majestic display. When Kompany can play with such composure and authority, it is tempting to wonder just how much more successful City’s debut campaign under Pep Guardiola might have been, had he managed to stay fit. And, last night, the 31-year-old rolled back the years with a vintage defensive display, anticipating danger and ensuring United’s pacy attack was kept suppressed throughout. What a contrast from Kompany’s last encounter with United – in the 1-0 EFL Cup defeat at Old Trafford back in October – when he asked to be substituted at half-time after feeling discomfort. That episode suggested Kompany’s physical ailments had begun to affect him mentally, his thinking scrambled by the prospect of further breakdowns and months spent on the sidelines. But Kompany is made of stronger stuff, as he proved with his third successive start – his longest run of consecutive matches for over a year – suggesting he can yet play a part next season. In the second half, he had little to do, such was United’s lack of attacking intent, but, in the first 45 minutes, Kompany was alert to everything and marshalling his defence with supreme assurance. City are certain to buy a central defender this summer, with Leonardo Bonucci, of Juventus, and Roma’s Antonio Rudiger among chief targets. But, if he can stay fit, Kompany showed that he can still have a role to play at City – even if new faces arrive this summer to usher in the start of a new era.