In-form Manchester United can inspire City, says Kompany
MANCHESTER City captain Vincent Kompany believes Sunday’s derby against Manchester United can act as a catalyst to reverse the decline that appears to have doomed their Premier League defence.
Monday night’s shock 2-1 defeat at Crystal Palace was City’s fifth in seven matches and left their title bid in tatters, nine points behind leaders Chelsea, who also have a game in hand. By contrast, in-form United have won six of their last seven league fixtures to overtake City, but Kompany is hopeful his side can rise to the occasion and beat their neighbours for a fifth successive time.
“It doesn’t matter what place you are in the league, it’s a derby,” said the Belgium defender. “If anything, it’s a good moment to go into a derby. I guess the momentum is a little bit with our neighbours at the moment, but it’s the perfect place for us to go and try to rectify what we’ve had.”
Former Queens Park Rangers manager Harry Redknapp, meanwhile, fears that City manager Manuel Pellegrini could pay with his job for a barren season.
“This hasn’t been a great year for them,” he said. “It looks like they’re going to end up with no trophies and that’s the name of the game. I hope he gets a chance next year but I wouldn’t like to bet on it.”