Police probe claim of racial abuse towards Kompany

The comments under investigation could be heard while Kompany and City midfielder James Milner were being interviewed on Sky Sports following their 2-1 victory at Old Trafford. “Greater Manchester Police has not received a complaint about racist abuse directed towards any players following last night’s fixture. However, we have now been made aware of this footage by the Manchester Evening News,” a police statement said. “The force will work with both clubs and review any footage to investigate the incident.”

Kompany scored an own goal in the match, cancelling out Milner’s opener for City, but a late strike by Sergio Aguero won the match for Roberto Mancini’s side. It is believed that Manchester United are yet to be contacted about the incident. Neither City, nor Kompany have made a complaint over the obscenity, which it is believed came from outside the tunnel area.

Indeed, as the entire area was sealed off from public view by large metal gates, it seems unlikely that anyone could actually know who was in the tunnel. Following defeats such as Monday night, it is not uncommon for disgruntled supporters to yell abuse as they make their way past that part of the stadium, before barriers are erected to allow supporters to wait for players to emerge and for players’ cars to be brought for them to leave.

Meanwhile, Manchester City playmaker David Silva remains hopeful of being fit to face  Chelsea in Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.

The Spain international suffered a hamstring injury in the closing stages of the derby win and manager Mancini said after the game he thought it unlikely the 27-year-old would be able to play at the weekend but the player has not ruled himself out.

Silva said: “I have to have tests done tomorrow. We will see the results of the tests and we will see whether I can be ready to play on Sunday or not. I felt it at the end and I still feel it now.  We will have to wait until tomorrow and see what the tests show. Hopefully I will be able to recover for Sunday.

“It is a game every player wants to play. But if I can’t there are always team-mates that can play.”

Despite their hard-earned 2-1 win over the Barclays Premier League leaders at Old Trafford, City’s title hopes remain remote.

The champions still trail United by 12 points with just seven games remaining, but the performance underlined the team’s enduring quality. Mancini is convinced City will be good enough to recapture the crown next year and Silva is also a firm believer.

The former Valencia star said: “To achieve it again we have to follow the line we showed last night. Also, last year we had that little bit of luck at the right times, this year we haven’t. We need to stick together to achieve it again but if we follow the line we followed last night we can do it. I feel we are growing every year as a club and we can see with the new contracts, we are growing, making a better team every year. I am confident we can win the title again next year.”