Andy Hinchcliffe and Ray Parlour say Vincent Kompany must start for Manchester City in the derby against Manchester United this Sunday.
Kompany was left on the bench for City’s win over Bournemouth on Saturday and only came on as a late substitute in the Champions League victory over Sevilla on Wednesday.
Nicolas Otamendi and Eliaquim Mangala were preferred to start in the centre of defence on both occasions by Manuel Pellegrini.
The brief cameo against Sevilla was Kompany’s first appearance for City since he sustained a calf injury on September 15, although he did play for Belgium in their Euro 2016 Qualifier against Israel.
Former City defender Hinchcliffe told Sky Sports News HQ that Kompany, who has captained the club to both their Premier League title wins, must return for the derby on Super Sunday.
“Ask any City player or fan who is the first choice centre-half and it’s Kompany,” Hinchcliffe said. “If you ask Joe Hart which centre-half is the first name on the team sheet it’s Kompany.
“It’s the security he gives a team, having somebody with his ability to play, lead and galvanise. You need that in the Manchester derby, you need your skipper there.”
City will already be without injured duo Sergio Aguero and David Silva for the match as they look to maintain their two-point lead at the top of the Premier League.
“If Kompany is fit he has to be in the side because Joe Hart, Kompany, Silva and Aguero form the spine of the team,” added Hinchcliffe. “You are missing two of them already so why, possibly through a battle of wills, would you leave Kompany out? It can’t happen.”
Former Arsenal and England midfielder Parlour agreed that Kompany needs to return for the leadership quality he provides.
“Having a centre-half as your captain is very important,” Parlour said. “I played under Tony Adams and people like that and they can see the whole pitch in front of them. He’s a great defender and for me he has to be playing if he is fit.
“As a manager you get paid a lot to make big decisions and he has made the decision that Otamendi and Mangala are the two that are going to play, but I would be amazed if Kompany doesn’t play in the derby.”
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