Vincent Kompany not ‘concerned’ by Man Utd form as Burnley boss gives Erik ten Hag verdict

Vincent Kompany said he is not focusing on the ‘crisis’ at Manchester United ahead of Saturday’s Premier League game against Burnley.

The Clarets host Erik ten Hag’s side on Saturday, with the away side in need of three points in the midst of a terrible run of form. United were beaten 4-3 by Bayern Munich on Wednesday, in another underwhelming display from the 13-time Premier League champions.

That was United’s fourth defeat from the opening six in all competitions this season, with questions being raised about the team’s recruitment, performances and tactics since the start of the campaign, all against the backdrop of the club’s uncertain ownership situation.

But Kompany said that sense of chaos often comes from being one of the country’s biggest sides, something he knows well from his time at local rivals Manchester City.

“I only try and assess them in a way that I need to do for my team,” the Burnley boss said on Thursday, when he was asked for his view of the recent events at Old Trafford. “I’ve been in a big club before and I know what it is when you lose a couple of games, the pressure can mount. But it’s not for me to talk about. It’s what they do on the pitch and that’s what I focus on. 

“We’re not busy with what’s happening in the other team, it doesn’t concern us. I have to manage the results of our team, to manage the performances. I think we're a calm camp, in a place where we feel there is something really exciting ahead of us and we want to build on that momentum.

“When you’re in a top club, you’re always one loss away from a crisis. It doesn’t have to just be United, it’s every top club,” he continued. “My concern is what we have to do. 

“Let’s put it frankly, in my opinion, I have to prepare my team to play against the best-possible United team, with momentum, with ambition and with all the problems behind them. If they turn up any different way then we’ll see, but I prepare my team for what they can do at their best and we have to find solutions to play against them.”

Kompany also offered his support to Ten Hag, who has been criticised at times in the early weeks of the new campaign. But the Burnley boss said his opposition number has already proven he is a top manager. “One thing this manager [Ten Hag] has demonstrated is that he’s extremely capable - there’s absolutely no doubt in that,” said the 37-year-old. “All the rest is the outside world and sometimes you can’t control it.”