Man Utd 0 Man City 3
In the wake of the death of Bobby Charlton, it was an emotional Old Trafford for the derby on the weekend as both teams had a minute’s applause to mark the passing of the legend. Erik ten Hag would have been hoping his side could pay their respects in the perfect way, by beating their ‘noisy neighbours’.
The fans in the Sir Alex Ferguson stand created a great visual display before the game, spelling out the words ‘Sir Bobby’ but little did they know this was the most choreographed their side was going to look all afternoon.
Ten Hag was to play the infamous ‘Christmas tree formation’ for this game, which was quite apt as throughout the afternoon they were to just offer gifts and presents to Pep Guardiola’s Premier League champions.
Bruno Fernandes robbed City of the ball early on and fed it to McTominay. The player who has scored three goals in two games recently had the first sight of goal but his effort was to show why he had only scored 12 goals in the previous 6 years before that.
Credit: @ManCity
Man City came forward as Rodri played a ball over the top towards Walker, who headed back across goal to Foden. His header was saved by Onana but as he spread himself to prevent Haaland’s follow-up, his trailing leg took the ball towards goal. Fortunately for the keeper, Maguire was there to clear it off the line.
On this occasion the Chuckle Brothers were to combine to save United from going behind in this entertaining derby. The warning signs were there for the Red Devils as Guardiola’s side were having way too much space when in possession.
Lindelof and Amrabat then went for the same header and as the ball broke to the visitors the Moroccan was to give away a free kick. As the ball was played into the box, United seemingly cleared their lines but VAR then told the referee to stop the game and go to the monitor.
Paul Tierney then decided that Rodri was impeded by Hojlund and pointed to the spot. Erling Haaland stepped up to take it and sent Andre Onana the wrong way as he buried it in the bottom corner and celebrated like that one was for his father, who suffered a career-ending injury here.
Rashford did well to work the ball to McTominay who got a thunderous shot away but Ederson was able to tip it around the post with a strong arm as he was called into action for the first time in the game.
Bernardo Silva was then causing problems in and around the box and he weaved his way to byline, clipping the ball perfectly to Haaland at the back post, his well-met header was clawed away by the Man Utd keeper flamboyantly.
Credit: @ManCity
As the second-half started, Rashford took a quick corner to Fernandes, who shot from some distance but it would take more than that to beat the Man City keeper. It was made more difficult with the ball dipping and bouncing just in front of him.
City were knocking the ball around for fun and as Grealish was found on the left, Silva came on the overlap and in a carbon copy of the first-half, found Haaland at the back post. The big Norwegian seemed to hang in the air before cushioning a header into the back of the net.
Eriksen played a ball from the halfway line to find the run of Rashford in the box. He took it brilliantly on his chest, delaying the shot to allow the defender to slide past him but then dragged his effort wide of the goal.
Man City looked to come forward once again and as Grealish fed it to Haaland in the box, Onana did well to come off his line quickly and block the effort at the expense of a corner. The replay showed it struck him on the shoulder but he did spread himself well.
When Erik ten Hag decided to make some changes, some sections of the fans booed him as he brought Rasmus Hojlund off. Quite what their problem was, we will never know, but the Danish striker had hardly had a game to remember.
Rodri then shot from distance and as happens all too often, Onana saved but parried the ball into a dangerous area and it fell to Haaland in a wide position. He squared the ball to Foden who tapped it into the net, adding to the home fans’ misery.
As Old Trafford emptied out, some of the home fans decided to stay until the end to beat the traffic. It was an easy day in the office for Pep Guardiola’s side, yet another deluded press conference from Erik ten Hag came afterwards. What games he is watching, judging by his comments, is anyone’s guess.
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