• Premier League

Kompany urges City to take Manchester off United

ESPN staff
April 4, 2013
Vincent Kompany scored the only goal of the game in last season's corresponding fixture between City and United © Getty Images
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Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany believes Manchester United's stranglehold of the Premier League will not detract from the significance of next week's derby at Old Trafford.

Although United are well out of reach in the league, Kompany has urged his team-mates to reclaim their status as the leading side in Manchester.

United's 3-2 win at the Etihad earlier this season gave them breathing space in the title race and Kompany insists City still have plenty to prove in the latter stages of their Premier League campaign.

"A derby is a derby. I don't think we could care less about the league in that game," he said. "It is about who is going to be champions of Manchester - that is all it is."

The stakes for Monday's clash are far less than when the two teams met last April with just three games remaining in the season.

Kompany netted the winner as City grabbed a 1-0 victory to steer them towards the title, but he is keen to leave that glory behind him.

"Last year had so much more to it. It was a derby and a big comeback from all of us," he added. "It is a completely different situation, today and last year.

"You don't get too many moments like that in your career, but you move on and hopefully I will score many more in the future. I have never been someone who has milked the result we had last year. Those things don't happen often.

"For me it is a one-off game and everything that has happened in the past has no importance whatsoever next Monday. It is about coming out on top in that game. I am looking forward to it and I think everyone else at Manchester City is too."

Sir Alex Ferguson insists United will not ease up in the coming weeks despite their strong advantage and Kompany has warned his side not to expect any favours.

"I don't expect Manchester United to be less motivated because they have this points gap between us where they are pretty safe," he said. "It will be like a one-off game, it will be like a cup final. There will be everything in it.

"For the neutrals we have enjoyed a couple of great derbies in the last couple of years. I can only wish the same with a happy ending for Manchester City."

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