Kompany: City can catch United

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany has laid down the gauntlet to Manchester United by insisting the title race is far from over.

United are odds-on favourites to claim their 20th league crown after opening up a seven-point gap on their rivals, who wrestled the title away from them on a dramatic final day last season.

But Kompany pointed to the eight-point margin City overhauled last term and believes his side are ready for a repeat performance.

The Belgian said: "A couple of years ago, if we had fallen seven points behind, we would have said it would be very difficult.

"But now we have done it and won the title, nobody panics. Everything is still possible.

"We have proved what we can do and everybody is very calm. That's the advantage you get when you win it once.

"You have that inner confidence and although the media and the fans get excited, we don't."

Kompany conceded that it would be a tough task, but claimed City were playing well enough to reel in United.

He added: "We are perfectly capable of having a long winning streak that will bring us very close. We have set our standards high and worked hard for a long time to bring ourselves into this position."