Man City’s Roberto Mancini criticises Vincent Kompany’s Belgium decision

Roberto Mancini has criticised Vincent Kompany after the Manchester City captain featured in Belgium’s 1-0 win against Macedonia on Tuesday.

The Citizens skipper has been sidelined with a calf injury since late January but played the full game for Belgium in their World Cup qualifier despite being told to remain at Carrington for training and treatment.

“I am disappointed,” said Mancini. “I said to him to stay here to have more treatment, don’t go to play because it would be taking a risk for us because these next two months are really important.”

While Mancini admitted Kompany was correct to initially link up with his national team, the City boss is adamant the centre-half should have returned to City after being evaluated by Belgium’s medical staff.

“It is correct for him to go there and do a test with their medical people, but after that he should come back,” he added.

“I hoped he would come back after one day. It was important that Vinny should work here and prepare very well for the next game, the next two months here, because he hasn’t played for us for 60 days.

“Sometimes the player should understand the club is more important.”