Leaders City would open an 11-point advantage over second-placed United with a win at Old Trafford on Sunday.

But Kompany, who scored a derby winner for City against United in their title-winning season in 2012, says the rivalry is more than just about the points on the table.

"I kind of press pause when it's a derby and the season doesn't matter to me anymore, it's all about the derby," the 31 year-old centre back told Sky Sports.

"Managers and players do like to downplay it, but I don't care, it's rubbish. The derby at that moment is the most important game in the world to me.

"It doesn't matter which position we are in, whether we need a point, three points, I don't care, we need to make sure we leave that place with our heads high."

Kompany accepts that some players want to avoid the added pressure surrounding a local derby.

"I think it's a natural thing to want to almost put expectations a bit lower, because it makes you feel like the pressure is perhaps easier to deal with, but in my case I am happy to deal with pressure," he added.

"I enjoy it more than anyone else and I am happy to say that the derby is more important than any other game. I don't care what anyone says."

City won 2-1 at Old Trafford in the league last season before the sides played out a goalless draw at the Etihad Stadium.
--reuters--