Manchester derby the ‘biggest game of the season’, says City’s Kompany

THE intense rivalry between neighbours and Premier League table-toppers Manchester City and Manchester United makes their derby the biggest game of the season for the players, City captain Vincent Kompany has said ahead of tomorrow’s clash.

Both clubs have enjoyed stellar starts to the campaign with the Etihad outfit riding a 13-game winning streak to open up an eight-point lead and United losing just twice in 15 games to keep up their pursuit.

The highly anticipated encounter could see City extend their advantage over second-placed United to 11 points and Kompany, who has firsthand experience of the ferocity of the derby, says there is more at stake than just points.

“Not just to me but to every player it means more than any other game,” Kompany said.

“I’m very honest about it. I do think in football people like to downplay the derbies, say it’s just another game, just another three points, but in reality it’s so much more than that and it always is.”

The fixture is even more enticing as City are on the verge of a record-breaking 14 consecutive league wins while United are unbeaten in 40 games across all competitions at Old Trafford.

City midfielder Fernandinho believes Paul Pogba’s absence through suspension could hinder the hosts but is expecting United to deal with the Frenchman’s exclusion and hold their own in a difficult fixture.

“Of course, any team that loses such a good player, they are going to miss him,” the Brazilian said. “But United have good players and it doesn’t matter who is going to play in his position, they will do a good job. It will be a tough game for both teams.”

Fellow midfielder Yaya Toure is wary of United’s counter-attacking threat but believes City will be ready defensively.

“This year I think when you see United, they are going to be worried about us. That’s going to make them very dangerous on the counter-attack and we have to be ready for that,” Toure said. “It’s going to be a tough game, a derby is a derby...

“We don’t want to lose... when I see United playing games against big teams, they always wait for a mistake to hit them on the counter-attack.”

United manager Jose Mourinho was non-committal about the game.

“We don’t know what can happen. There are so many things that are out of control that can totally transform the direction of the game. I wouldn’t risk saying what game we are going to have.

“We are a better team than last year, no doubts about it, I think City is also a better team than last season. I think we can (win the league) but I think other teams can be champions.”

● In-form United have the confidence and ability to end City’s winning run, the hosts’ goalkeeper David de Gea said ahead of tomorrow's match.

Asked if United could stop City, De Gea turned the question around.

“Can City stop United? We play at home with the fans,” the Spaniard said. “It’s a derby, we have confi- dence, we feel really strong and we want to win.

“The team is in a good moment, we won two difficult away games so we have confidence and we know we play an important game. We really want to win.”

United defender Marcos Rojo believes both teams are well matched.

“The two teams are equal and both in good form, so it’s going to come down to who wants it the most and that concentration throughout the game,” Rojo told the club’s website. (www.manutd.com)

City have won five of the last 10 Manchester derbies in the league, with United winning three and the other two ending in goalless draws. – Reuters

● See TV schedules for fixtures, page 26