PELE CELEBRATES P23 75TH BIRTHDAY SPORTS 24 Saturday, October 24, 2015 Pellegrini denies Kompany rift Derby fire in

without Kompany in the lot of crosses in the box, so it was side, but Pellegrini has hinted important he was there. that he is prepared to stick “For me, the most crucial with Argentina international thing is to play with the best Manchester Otamendi alongside Mangala at players I have at the moment.” anchester . Pellegrini has indicated that City manager Pellegrini said: “I don’t have he feels Otamendi and Mangala ManuelM Pellegrini insists any problem with Vincent are his in-form defenders going he has no problems with Kompany. I will pick the starting into Sunday’s meeting with Vincent Kompany – but XI I think will be best for the Manchester United. has given his captain no game. “I think that both of them guarantees that he will “I’m not punishing Vincent. are in a good moment, as were With his 30th birthday today, be recalled for Sunday’s I have no problem in my Vincent and Mangala at the Rooney would be gearing up derby relationship with Vincent. After beginning of the season,” the for the derby against United. five weeks without playing, you manager said. Kompany has played must be fit. He must be fit before Pellegrini will remain without just two minutes for the he returns.” several injured players for the club since defying his Kompany was an unused trip to Old Trafford, with Sergio manager’s wishes by substitute as City retained the Aguero, , Fabian featuring for Belgium in leadership of the Premier League Delph, and Gael a Euro 2016 qualifier by beating Bournemouth 5-1 last Clichy all unavailable. against Israel. Saturday. Top scorer Aguero will be Pellegrini did not He then came on for the final out for at least another three want the centre- two minutes of stoppage time weeks with the hamstring injury back to play for his on Wednesday as Pellegrini’s sustained while on international country during the last side secured a late and dramatic duty with Argentina earlier this international break, 2-1 Champions League win over month. wanting him instead Sevilla. Nasri, who has been dogged to spend more time Asked why he brought on by hamstring trouble in recent recuperating from a Kompany for weeks, missed the win over calf injury. at that moment, Pellegrini said: Sevilla, and is also not expected Kompany “We had just scored to make it to return for another three suffered the injury 2-1, and they were going to put a weeks. during the 2-1 Champions League Hart (L) with Kompany home defeat against Juventus on September 15, with Nicolas Otamendi since establishing himself as ’s regular central defensive partner. City have not kept a clean sheet this season

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