Vincent Kompany injury: Manchester City captain could be out for the rest of the season, says Manuel Pellegrini

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany may not play again this season, according to his manager Manuel Pellegrini.

The 29-year-old, who has struggled for form and fitness this season, came off at half-time in the 4-2 defeat to Manchester United because of a thigh/groin complaint.

Kompany has not been able to train since the game and underwent a scan earlier this week.

Initially City were hoping that the centre-back could return in as little as three weeks but Pellegrini now fears he has lost the defender for the season.

Pellegrini, speaking at a press conference, said: "He is injured. It is very difficult to know the way you improve if you are injured.

"He has a muscle injury, we don't know how many weeks.

"We always know the (approximate) amount of weeks he needs to recover but we don't know if he will be fit from now until the end of the season."

It is also yet another in what has been a long line of leg muscle problems in recent years. Already this season he has missed nine games - mostly in December - with calf or hamstring injuries.