Kompany wont change playing style

Kompany was forced to serve a four-match ban after being harshly dismissed for a two-footed challenge on Nani. Sir Alex Ferguson was critical of Kompany's scissor tackle after the game and Kompany published a detailed response on Facebook, outlining his fears for the future of English football.

However, despite that bad experience, Kompany has no intention of curbing his natural instincts, and the Belgium international said: "You can't, and I don't think the fans would want it. I don't think it's possible to do it. I have not been the player I am now for two years - I have been that player since I started playing football 20 years ago."

Nominated as City's full-time skipper at the start of the season, Kompany will have the honour of lifting the trophy should the Blues ultimately prevail - however, there is quite a bit of work ahead of City first.

Even if they beat United on Monday, they will still need to pick up three points from an equally testing trip to Newcastle next week, while last-day opponents QPR have beaten Liverpool, Tottenham and Arsenal recently in their battle for survival.

Nevertheless, the importance of City's next game cannot be underestimated, with Kompany ideally placed to assess the merits of the two strikers upon whom so much rests.

"Carlos (Tevez) approaches every single game like it is the most important of his life," said Kompany. "He did it against Wolves, before that at Norwich and he will do it against United. He is like a guaranteed performer - that's what you get from him.

"And Wayne Rooney is one of the best strikers in the world.

"He is quick, powerful and a goalscorer. He is also a leader for his team, and that makes him a special player.

"It's great to play against him. Hopefully we will be playing against each other for a long time because it's always a great battle."

Source: PA

Source: PA