Vincent Kompany understands derby importance

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany has said that he understands how important the Manchester derby is to the fans.

The 26-year-old, who is also captain of Belgium, said that people have been constantly talking about the upcoming match at the Etihad Stadium on Monday.

Kompany also said that, with the emergence of City as a Premier League super-power, the game is now a lot bigger than just local bragging rights.

"I know what it means to the people and it's impossible not to know the history," said Kompany. "It's impossible not to know about the derbies. Before you join the club you find out about the victories and I guess it has become, after El Clasico, the biggest game in the world in a league competition.

"This game has become much bigger than just the locals. City supporters in Indonesia will have to face the United supporters in Indonesia, lose or win, so it's much bigger than just about Manchester.

"I cannot remember meeting anyone in the last three or four days who didn't talk to me about it. You sense people have their own personal reasons for wanting to win this game."

The Citizens go into the game trailing the Red Devils by three points.