Vincent Kompany insists the two Manchester clubs 'have to' challenge for the Premier League next season

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Vincent Kompany believes the two Manchester clubs have no excuses if they fail to challenge for the Premier League title again next season.

City have spent nearly £140million on Kyle Walker, Ederson Moraes and Bernardo Silva this summer, while United have also surpassed the £100m mark after buying Romelu Lukaku and Victor Lindelof.

Both clubs are expected the bring in several more players before the transfer window closes as Premier League spending continues to spiral.

Vincent Kompany is adamant that both Manchester clubs must challenge next campaign

City boss Pep Guardiola is under pressure to deliver after finishing a season empty-handed for the first time in his coaching career, while Jose Mourinho’s success in lifting three trophies in his first year at Old Trafford was tarnished by a disappointing sixth-place finish in the league.

Asked if the two Manchester rivals will be favourites to win the title this season, Kompany pulled no punches as he warned that both clubs simply have to be challenging again.

‘It’s hard to say who are going to be favourites. In my opinion, more teams than ever can – not just can, but have to – claim that they want to be Premier League champions.

Right back Kyle Walker joined Manchester City from Tottenham in a deal worth £54million

‘The distinction is important. They have to. Because everybody is investing heavily at the moment.’

Kompany is set to face his Belgium international teammate Lukaku when the first Manchester derby to be played on foreign soil takes place at the NRG Arena in Houston in the early hours of Friday morning.

He added: ‘Romelu has one incredible ability and it’s his desire to score goals. He’s taken a lot of criticism but his biggest strength is his belief in himself, to have this drive and score constantly. That’s what Manchester United are going to get from him.

Pep Guardiola failed to secure any silverware in his first season managing in England

‘Playing against United is in a difficult context. It’s a friendly game but a game I never played as a friendly. My situation is simple: my wife is from Manchester. She’s a blue. Her family is divided between blue and red, and at Christmas for dinner it’s an issue sometimes. That says everything about a derby, really.

‘Hopefully we will be competitive enough and get something out of this game, but the fans are right to anticipate this game.’

Kompany once again had to field a questions about his fitness battle having returned to top form at the end of last season after a succession of injuries that threatened to end his career at the Etihad.

Jose Mourinho could only manage a sixth-placed finish in his debut season at Old Trafford

‘The main reason why I’m still here is because I never doubt myself,’ he said. ‘Not for one second. Every single time I start again and never feel I’ll be injured again in my life.

‘I feel positive and motivated. You look at yourself in training and know if you’re at the level or not. The past is the past, but I have worked well and a lot of people around me understand and I look forward to a positive season.

‘I’d like to think at any single point I can still improve. Just by watching the guys train I feel like I can improve, but the main thing is you can’t let fear come into it. I train, I play and maybe I’m managed by the people around me. As soon as I’m on the pitch, I’d prefer to have something really bad happen to me then change one per cent. I remain the same and that’s it.

‘People have to trust my judgement, I am not a doctor but without having any diplomas I’m maybe the closest you can get to it.’