Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany said the Premier League champions must keep kicking neighbours Manchester United while they are down as the Red Devils continue to struggle following Alex Ferguson’s retirement.
United have not won the Premier League since 2012-13 – Ferguson’s final season at Old Trafford – with City enjoying a change in momentum and dominance in Manchester.
Pep Guardiola’s record-breaking City finished 19 points clear of United last season, while Jose Mourinho’s side have lost two of their opening three matches this season.
Kompany feels some sympathy for United, though he wants City to take advantage in the quest for more silverware.
I’ll give the neighbours a little bit, I’ll have compassion for them, because Sir Alex Ferguson was such a big personality,” Belgian defender Kompany said.
“Manchester United are still dealing with a post-Ferguson era. So they will get that side of me, feeling compassionate. But any time it takes them to get back up, we need to take advantage of it.”
City welcome Newcastle United to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, while United are away to Burnley on Sunday as they seek to avoid three consecutive defeats.