Kompany eyes off van Persie battle

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany is looking forward to going head-to-head with Manchester United striker Robin van Persie on Sunday.

The Dutchman has been in prolific form since leaving Arsenal for Old Trafford, scoring 13 goals in 19 matches, and has promised there is more to come from him ahead of the Manchester derby.

But Kompany, who publicly backed City’s interest in the striker before he moved to their rivals in the summer, is relishing the opportunity to face United’s top scorer at the Etihad Stadium.

“He’s a great striker and I think, personally, I like nothing more than the challenge of playing against the best in the game and van Persie definitely fits the bill,” he told talkSPORT.

Meanwhile, the Belgium international is convinced City can bounce back after a 1-0 defeat to Borussia Dortmund in midweek saw the club finish bottom of their Champions League group.

“The best way for us to react is to perform on the pitch, and we’ve done it time and time again in the past so I’m sure we’ll do it again,” Kompany added.

“It’s the kind of game where you expect yourself to perform well. You expect yourself to have a good game because you know that the challenge is huge.

“The passion that goes into that game is quite special so it’s probably a good game to pick yourself up but there is always a risk attached to a game like this.

“It’s probably very difficult to call a favourite in these kind of games whether you play at home or away.”

Roberto Mancini’s side, who remain unbeaten in the Premier League, sit three points behind table-topping United ahead of the clash.