Kompany red was pathetic

THE FA Cup, third-round Manchester derby was a fantastic match, especially for the neutrals, but there is no getting away from the fact that Vincent Kompany’s red card changed the course of the game.

It was a pathetic decision from referee Chris Foy — Vincent got the ball — but the official made a lot of wrong calls, as United and ourselves were both denied clear-cut penalties.

Obviously I feared at half-time that the visitors would go on to score several more goals, just as we did at Old Trafford in October, but our 10 men produced a fantastic and disciplined display after the interval.

I think it provided us with some crucial momentum which we can take into the upcoming matches and the race for the Barclays Premier League title.

A lot was made of the fact Paul Scholes returned to United and came on as a second-half substitute.

He is a world-class talent who is arguably the best passer in the business, so I see it as a no-lose situation for United.

The same applies to Thierry Henry at Arsenal. He might be in the twilight of his career but he is there to help out and it gives everyone at the club, as well as the supporters, a big lift.

As I have touched upon, the fixtures come thick and fast this month and Liverpool are back at the Etihad Stadium tomorrow in the Carling Cup semi-final first leg, so soon after the entertaining league meeting which we won 3-0.

Unless Vincent’s four-match suspension is overturned — it’s four games because he has now been sent off twice this term — he will be missing tomorrow, but Gareth Barry returns from suspension.

David Silva and Adam Johnson departed the derby action at half-time so at least they got some respite.

With Kolo and Yaya Toure missing for the next few weeks due to African Nations duty, and Vincent’s ban due to begin, the squad faces a stern test in January but we have a lot of good players and hopefully we can bounce back from the FA Cup defeat with a win.