Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany has hit back over criticism of his side, strongly reprimanding the press and offering much needed support to his injury hit and under-fire manager.

The defender has called the reports “something I can’t relate to” and has also questioned the integrity of the so called journalists who wrote stories with “no foundation whatsoever.” With his side and manager the subject of increasingly negative press Kompany has refuted the claims and blamed the high standards the Champions set for themselves last season.

Perhaps football’s most eloquent footballer Kompany’s statements never disappoint and after disclosing that “personally I never get affected” when it comes to media articles, refuting reports of mutiny in the City camp by saying 'I started my career to play football and be the best footballer. I expect journalists to tell the truth and do the job for that. That is just sensationalism, nothing more.'

Meanwhile City have been dealt another huge injury blow with the news that defender Micah Richards is facing two months on the sidelines after surgery on his knee after tearing knee cartilage during the game against Swansea at the weekend.

The injury cannot have come at a worse time for the club who are facing pressure from all areas at the minute yet the blues may be boosted by the return to training of winger David Silva after a layoff due to a hamstring problem.