Kompany: Let's get is started
Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany is ready for the talking to stop and the action to start in the derby clash with Manchester United.
Kompany admits there has been no avoiding the hype surrounding the eagerly-anticipated clash of the neighbouring heavyweights, which could settle the destiny of the Premier League title.
City head into the game at the Etihad Stadium knowing that victory would take them back to the top of the table on goal difference with just two games remaining.
Many have billed the game as the biggest in Premier League history and Kompany is just anxious to get it under way.
The Belgium defender said: "People to bring you back to it a lot.
"I can't remember meeting anyone in the last three or four days who didn't talk to me about it.
"But I go back to the reasons why I love football so much and this is one of the reasons.
"It's not a fear of playing the game, just an eager feeling to get to the stadium and get it started."
That City are back in title contention seemed unlikely after a defeat at Arsenal three weeks ago left them eight points off the pace.
Since then City have reproduced some of their early-season best form to sweep West Brom, Norwich and Wolves aside while United have faltered against Wigan and Everton.
Yet while City manager Roberto Mancini has continually downplayed his side's title chances during that period, Kompany has preferred not to even think about the situation.
The 26-year-old said: "I think we did the right thing deciding we were going to just focus on ourselves.
"I know that's a classic line to come out with, but ultimately, for us, that's the right thing to do.
"Personally, I'm very neutral. I've said to myself since the beginning of the season, whenever I see a competitor play, whether it's United or Tottenham, I try not to care about their result and to be as neutral as I can, so it doesn't have any effect on my morale, and just try to be better every game and win all of our games.
"That's what we've done in the past three games.
"Stats speak - and they are facts. That's why I don't want to get involved in those mental wars.
"I can tell you now there is nothing in the papers that will have an influence on our performance."
Carlos Tevez is 'destined' to score winner against Manchester United
Roberto Mancini believes Tevez will be Manchester City's hero • Striker likely to start against his former club in title decider
Roberto Mancini has spoken of his belief that Carlos Tevez is "destined" to be the central figure in the most important Manchester derby ever staged and score the goal that helps to decide the title race.
Mancini goes into the game at the Etihad Stadium on Monday night having dropped his assertion that Manchester United cannot be caught and apparently convinced that the decisive moments will come from a player who has spent most of the season at loggerheads with his manager.
Tevez's relationship with Mancini appeared to have broken down irretrievably after the infamous Champions League tie at Bayern Munich in September, followed by the Argentinian's disappearance back to Buenos Aires. In total, Tevez has forfeited in excess of £10m this season in fines, lost bonuses and withheld wages but the striker is back in the team, having been unable to force a transfer, and Mancini's belief is that the former Manchester United player is about to write another chapter into an already remarkable story of occasional brilliance mired with frequent controversy.
"I think Carlos is destined to score the most important goal in the history of this club," Mancini said. "This is my belief."
This was the first admission from Mancini that, contrary to what he had said previously, United are in danger of blowing the title in the wake of their defeat at Wigan Athletic and the 4-4 draw against Everton at Old Trafford seven days ago. Sir Alex Ferguson's team hold a three-point lead but City's goal difference is six better off, meaning they will go back to the top of the table if they beat the champions.
Mancini's singling out of Tevez also supports the theory that the manager will not risk starting Mario Balotelli, who is available after suspension. "The problem with Mario is that he can get a red card at any moment on the pitch, in the tunnel or even in the dressing room," Mancini said.
After the derby City still have to go to Newcastle United to face a side chasing a Champions League qualification place and then end their season at home to Queens Park Rangers, who are fighting against relegation. United have two games against mid-table teams, at home against Swansea City followed by a trip to Sunderland, and Mancini maintains Ferguson's team will find them "easy" to win.
However, he also believes that if City clinch their first league title since 1968 it will usher in a longer period of dominance for the club. "We don't just want one championship. I want to leave a legacy. That's how I want all the City supporters to remember me. I could be wrong, but I think Manchester City are set up now to win many trophies in the future. That has to be the target."
No longer sticking to his line that the league was "finished", Mancini was asked whether catching and overhauling United would signal a shift in power at the top of English football. "If you win the title there can be no debate about who is the No1 team in Manchester. For this year, at least. United have a fantastic history and it is impossible to change that but, for us, our targets should be to match the achievements of United, Barcelona and Real Madrid. Even if we don't win the title this year that will not change. And I think the team that starts next season will be stronger than the one that finishes this season because of the experience."
Mancini has been assured that he has the backing in Abu Dhabi to continue next season, reinforced last week by a rare public statement from the club's owner, Sheikh Mansour. "Even if he hadn't said it I was relaxed about my position anyway," he said. "I think the Sheikh and [the chairman] Khaldoon [al-Mubarak] are happy with what we have done this season."
Jonny Evans feels Manchester City could fall away like Liverpool if they fail to win the title. Daily Mirror
Manchester United defender Jonny Evans recalls his red card against Manchester City in his side's 6-1 defeat earlier this season and looks ahead to Monday's crucial Premier League derby showdown.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17872338
Alex Ferguson could recall Ji-Sung Park at the expense of Danny Welbeck as Manchester United look to contain City. the Sun
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