Vincent Kompany could be forced to sit out the Manchester derby at the weekend through injury according to his manager Manuel Pellegrini, the Mail Online reports.
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The City captain will be assessed on Saturday to see whether or not he will be deemed fit enough to lead the side out for the crucial game at Old Trafford.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the game, Pellegrini is hopeful of having his captain available but has full faith in the squad either way.
“Kompany we will assess tomorrow,” he said (via the Mail Online)
“He worked the whole week the normal way. I always say the same. We are always better with Kompany but if he cannot play we have a squad,” The Chilean manager added.
If the Belgian defender is unavailable for the game, it could mean a recall for summer signing Eliaquim Mangala. The Frenchman has struggled in his first season in English football, but could partner veteran centre-half Martin Demichelis.
City have won the last four derby meetings, including the reverse fixture earlier in the season – thanks to Sergio Aguero’s solitary strike at the Etihad – but go into the meeting on Sunday in a terrible run of form away from home.
Defeat against Crystal Palace on Monday night was their fourth in a row on the road in all competitions, and they are now nine points behind leaders Chelsea. Anything less than a win against United would surely see their faint hopes of retaining the league disappear.