Former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha has recalled Vincent Kompany’s early authority, hard training tackles and a pre-season night in Baltimore in 2010. He also revealed that he introduced Kompany to the woman who became his wife.
Onuoha recalls Kompany’s Manchester City rise
Onuoha and Kompany once played together in Manchester City’s defence. Kompany is now recognised as Coach of the Year, but Onuoha’s memories go back to a period before City became the club they are today.
Quick facts
- Nedum Onuoha and Vincent Kompany were Manchester City team-mates.
- Onuoha remembers Kompany wearing No. 10 at Hamburg.
- Rafael van der Vaart and Nigel de Jong were also at Hamburg at that time.
- Manchester City faced Champions League holders Inter Milan in Baltimore in summer 2010.
- Kompany started the friendly, while Onuoha was among the substitutes.
One image stayed with Onuoha from Kompany’s Hamburg spell: the Belgian wearing the No. 10 shirt. Van der Vaart and De Jong were still at the club, making the number stand out even more.
Onuoha also remembered Kompany’s approach on the training pitch. “Vinnie” attacked challenges with full commitment.
A summer tour match in Baltimore brought another marker. City met Inter shortly after the Italian side had won the Champions League. Kompany was in the starting XI; Onuoha began on the bench.
City were still building then. The established era of domestic titles and European success had not yet arrived, but Kompany was already becoming a central figure.
SEO title: Nedum Onuoha recalls Vincent Kompany’s early Manchester City years
SEO description: Nedum Onuoha looks back on Vincent Kompany at Hamburg and Manchester City, including a 2010 friendly against Inter Milan in Baltimore.
