Kompany defiant over Belgium return

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany stands by his decision to play for Belgium in the recent international break, and says he was not fazed at being benched by manager Manuel Pellegrini.

Kompany was called up by his country at the start of October despite not having played for the best part of a month thanks to the calf injury he picked up against Juventus in the Champions League.

Pellegrini had initially said his captain could not feature for Belgium, and recently admitted he was "not happy" that his captain had made a surprise return to action.

Despite regaining his fitness Kompany was subsequently left out of games against Bournemouth and Sevilla, but after being named in the starting line-up for Sunday's Manchester derby he insists he has no regrets about the past month.

"It's not just with me," he said of club-versus-country rows. "For now, the past, and the future, it's always going to be a little bit of a tricky situation.

"They are two very important teams that have different goals and ambitions and it's just normal that stuff like this happens. I would not have played if I was not fit. But I'm a professional and I don't need too much explanation. I just deal with it. I dealt with my decision and I didn't have a problem with it."

Pellegrini, ahead of Sunday's clash at Old Trafford, denied that he was "punishing" Kompany for playing for his country.

But the centre-back, who earlier admitted that there had been a difference of opinion, says that he did not need any reason for being left out of the starting line-up.

"I'm a professional," he added. "I don't need anyone giving me any explanation. It's fine. I work hard, always. I'm always positive for the team. It's not at 29 that I need too much explanation any more."

Kompany is also confident that he will be able to keep hold of his first-team spot despite competition from big-money signings Eliaquim Mangala and Nicolas Otamendi.

"Every single time I've had the chance to put my boots on this term I've done very well, with my national team and club. For me, I'm a team player. We all want to achieve the same thing in the end. If other players do well I'm by definition also satisfied," he added.

"It's always been the case at City. There's been as many defenders for that position since I've been there. It's not just one season when there's been big signings and big players come in. It's necessary. Sometimes you get the best out of a team with that competition but that's true for every position, not just my position."