At least this wasn’t another humiliation. From a Manchester United perspective, that’s a ray of comfort. In four of the previous six derbies – and that’s not counting City’s 2-1 win in the FA Cup final at the end of last season – United have been torn apart in horrific fashion. Their supporters were even excited to see Marcus Rashford put them ahead with a fierce long-range effort.
It was yet another defeat, and again the gap to the top of the table was painted in painful detail – as usual. United’s ambitions were limited to staying compact and trying to break through on the counter-attack. That’s not what they should be doing, and new minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe knows it.
Manchester United will be in trouble and City will begin what could be a decisive month as they need results to respond to Liverpool’s victory over Nottingham Forest from Saturday and it was Phil Foden who made the difference.
Foden scored twice, the first a goal that matched Rashford’s and the second a clinical finish to make it 2-1, taking his tally for the season to 18. ;Career best. But there are also some small details, such as his return to defense at the last minute to steal Manchester United substitute Anthony, which earned Guardiola a warm applause. Foden is on another level.
Erling Haaland scored the third goal in stoppage time and it was certainly a great way for City to prepare for next Sunday’s clash with Liverpool at Anfield. They will also face Arsenal here at the end of the month. They have achieved 17 wins and 2 draws in the past 19 games. Who can stop them?
Given his injury list, Ten Hag has few options in the starting lineup, unless you count left back Sofyan Amrabat as one, or Anthony on the right wing as the other – but Ten Hag No grid. So it was Victor Lindelof at left-back, Jonny Evans at centre-back and, surprisingly, Bruno Fernandes as the false nine. There would be a bigger blow in the eighth minute.
It’s fair to say Rashford thrust himself into the spotlight in an interview on Thursday in which he strongly advised not to question his commitment to United – following his FA victory over Forest in midweek Poor performance in the cup. No one really does that. Instead, they question why he’s having such a bad season.
Rashford needed to show something and he scored one of the best goals of his career, an almost miraculous strike that rose fiercely from 25 yards and fired under Ederson’s crossbar. enter. The goalie barely saw it. Fernandez created the chance when he denied Ruben Dias after Andre Onana’s high ball.
Rashford also struggled during a frantic start when United looked threatening on the break. He might have scored again when Dias slipped and Fernandez passed the ball quickly. Rashford had no one in front of him in midfield but his first touch was poor, allowing Kyle Walker to counterattack. To make matters worse, Rashford took a flying kick and then fell after Fernandez’s cross. The angle was not unkind to Rashford. This is a good opportunity.
Guardiola did what was expected of him. He asked John Stones to move into midfield, while he gave Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva ample clearance in midfield. City dominated possession and they pressed high and created chances before the break, with United repeatedly throwing bodies in front of shots. Onana is also great.
From a United perspective, the goalkeeper’s handling was reassuring, and he made three huge saves in the first half, two against Foden, the second coming on a clean sheet in City’s midfield ongoing. Another saw him diving to his left to block Rodri’s volley.
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When Haaland caused an incredible mistake in first-half stoppage time, it suddenly occurred to one that this could be United’s day. Foden received a header from Rodri’s floating ball and Haaland, alone at close range, jumped up and fired the volley into the empty net. He couldn’t suppress it. We almost need to watch replays to check. Yes, Manchester City’s goal-eater has certainly slipped.
Guardiola advised staying calm. That would come in the second half for his team. Manchester United’s defense has been patched up and will definitely not be able to hold on. The equalizer was another thing of beauty, Foden cutting inside Lindelof with no redshirt coming towards him, it was the purest of goals. Foden’s face flashed with menace. Now he’s having his moment outside the box.
United had hoped Walker would foul Rashford in the previous possession and that would have been weak. It’s clear City still have a lot to do after this.
The pattern was set from the first whistle – City attacking and United looking to counter-attack in hopes of launching a counter-attack. But the latter all but disappeared as the game wore on. In the second half, Manchester United laid siege to the goal.
Ten Hag introduced Willy Kambwala at right back, moved Diogo Dalot to left back to deal with Foden, and Lindelöf moved To the centre-back. So Guardiola simply moved Foden to the other side and from there he scored again.
Foden exchanged passes with substitute Julian Alvarez and saw space open up, with the finish a mere formality. City deserved an extra goal when substitute Amrabat was tackled by Rodri. Haaland knows he won’t miss it this time.
