Manchester United cast away the shadows of their previous few derbies with a convincing win in a breath-taking game, increasing the pressure on Manuel Pellegrini and putting them four points clear of their local rivals.
Manchester City came into this game hoping to rectify their poor run of form, which saw them lose all three of their last Premier League away matches, whilst Manchester United were looking to increase their winning streak to six games.
The game started under an electric atmosphere and it was the team in sky-blue to dominate the first exchanges. Only five minutes in Jesus Navas was played through on goal by a simple ball over the top by Martin Demichelis, but his attempt from a narrow angle was thwarted by David De Gea.
City kept up the pressure though as from the resulting corner the ball fell for Yaya Touré who was stopped only by an excellent challenge from Michael Carrick. City’s early domination and continued efforts eventually paid dividends as James Milner slipped through a surprisingly unmarked David Silva in the 8th minute, who squared it to Sergio Agüero to score his ninety-ninth goal in a City shirt.
From that point it was all downhill for City as Manchester United started to establish themselves more and more into the game. United’s equaliser came in the 13th minute of the game where an excellent De Gea clearance fell to Ander Herrera on the left-wing, who fizzed in a low ball which was tapped in by Ashley Young after a fortunate deflection.
Young’s contributions weren’t finished there as after a period of scrappy play from both sides he received the ball from a sumptuous cross-field pass by Juan Mata, and after some intricate play with Daley Blind on the left side he sent in a brilliant, in-swinging cross which was proficiently nodded home by the “undroppable” Marouane Fellaini.
From that moment, United looked dominant and never seemed like giving up their lead in the first half as they thwarted City’s attacking play with good pressing and periods of possession. The first-half ended with some controversy, however, as Vincent Kompany appeared to slide in rashly and with his studs up on Daley Blind and was shown a yellow card, when it could have very easily been a red.
Kompany was withdrawn at half-time with a thigh injury for Eliaquim Mangala in the second half, which started the polar-opposite of the first half, with United dominating the early exchanges. This almost paid off with an early goal as Wayne Rooney’s free-kick was parried by Joe Hart and the rebound by Carrick was also was also expertly saved. United continued in full flow as they searched for a third goal to potentially seal a first derby win since Sir Alex Ferguson’s last season in charge.
Their efforts did eventually pay off as Rooney received the ball from Blind and slipped through Mata, who appeared to be marginally offside, to skilfully finish between the legs of Hart for his eighth goal of the Premier League with twenty-five minutes left to play. Manchester City at this point were clearly struggling to recuperate and create anything as their midfield maestro Touré barely managed to do anything, as Fellaini managed to dominate their exchanges and subdue his influence allowing Carrick and Herrera to get on the ball more often and spur United forward.
The nail in the coffin came on the 73rd minute when another Young cross from a free-kick allowed Chris Smalling to earn his redemption after his reckless performance at the Etihad earlier this season, with a free header which he easily converted. Old Trafford was truly in full voice as Manchester United reminded fans of the good times, whilst City continued to falter in attack. Manchester United made some changes of their own when Radamel Falcao, Ángel Di María and Marcos Rojo (to which Van Gaal claimed “they work very hard on the training ground”) all came on for Fellaini, Mata and Jones who left the field with standing ovations from the gleeful fans.
United however, received a grey cloud over their performance towards the end, as Carrick, who had completed the most (54) successful passes on the pitch, had to be withdrawn due to injury, leaving United to play the last six minutes with ten men. Shortly after, a Pablo Zabaleta cross caught the United defenders off-guard and after excellent movement, Agüero converted his 100th City goal as a consolation.
This win takes United one step closer to recapturing their title-winning form and it showed in van Gaal’s press conference who claimed to be “proud” and said the fans are “deserving” of a win over their rivals. Pellegrini on the other hand looked distraught, claiming there are “a number of things wrong” with Manchester City as his position as manager comes under extra-scrutiny.
United’s excellent team spirit continues as they face another huge task next week travelling to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea, but they have given themselves and their fans huge elation this weekend and it finally seems like the good times are on their way back to the red side of Manchester.
Player Ratings:
MUFC: De Gea 7, Valencia 7, Smalling 7, Jones 7 (Rojo 6), Blind 7, Herrera 7, Carrick 8, Fellaini 8 (Falcao 6), Young 9, Rooney 7, Mata 7 (Di Maria 6).
MCFC: Hart 6, Zabaleta 6, Kompany 4 (Mangala 5), Demichelis 6, Clichy 5, Navas 6 (Lampard 5), Touré 5, Fernandinho 6, Milner 6 (Nasri 5), Silva 6, Aguero 7.
Comments.
Loading comments…