Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany feels that his side must finish the season strongly despite all but conceding the Premier League title to Manchester United.

Roberto Mancini's team are 15 points behind United with only eight games left to play this season.

"I feel there is still a lot to look forward to," he told Sky Sports News. "Whichever way we finish, this season might set us up for the next one.

"I always remember the way we finished the season before last. We ended on equal points with Chelsea, which was a massive boost, secured a place in the Champions League and also won the FA Cup.

"The year after that we went on to win the title. The end of one season has an impact on how you start the next one."

Kompany returned to action after two months out with a calf injury in City's 4-0 win over Newcastle United on Saturday.