Kompany: Manchester derby more than Pep vs. Jose

The Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho rivalry being reignited in Manchester has many football fans already ticking off the days until the city's clubs' Sept. 10 meeting, but Vincent Kompany insists the match is much more than that.

Guardiola succeeded Manuel Pellegrini at Manchester City while Mourinho took the reins at Manchester United from Louis van Gaal, bringing a spat cultivated in their respective tenures at Barcelona and Real Madrid to the Premier League.

But above all, it is one of the biggest matches on football's calendar between two foes in the old Cottonopolis, according to City's skipper.

"For me it's always United vs. City, first and foremost," he told ESPN FC. "That is bigger than any names in the game, to me. It's never bad to throw a little bit of hot sauce on the barbeque when you've already got it on full flames but it's already one of the biggest fixtures in world football.

"If there's a little bit of a personal battle as well then that will only add to a fixture that is already great in itself."

Kompany is keen to hit the ground running next season under Guardiola after a 2015-16 that was hampered by calf issues. The Belgian made just 13 league starts, often leaving responsibilities at the back to the shaky trio of Nicolas Otamendi, Eliaquim Mangala, and Martin Demichelis.

"I'm just keen to get my boots back on and do whatever it takes to make this team better," he said. "There is no one who has relished the challenge of making us better than I have and I love the idea of helping us to reach another level."

Kompany added, "I am the kind of person who will always play a role, no matter what situation I find myself in. Obviously, on the pitch I'm better. But when it comes to this (mentality) I'm unbreakable. And that's why I keep coming back."

The 30-year-old is currently working as a pundit for BBC Sport for the Euro 2016 finals, watching Belgium's campaign from afar when he usually dons the captain's armband.