Manchester United were handed a disappointing 3-1 defeat by noisy neighbours Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
The 177th Manchester derby did not end well for Manchester United as fierce rivals Manchester City comfortably toppled them 3-1 at the Etihad on gameweek 12 of the 2018-19 Premier League.
Buoyed by their 2-1 comeback win over Juventus in the midweek, Jose Mourinho’s men came into the game high on confidence. But, it just took twelve minutes for the reigning champions to stamp their authority as David Silva fired home from point-blank range to make it 1-0.
Manchester United managed to stem Pep Guardiola’s men for the rest of the first period, but just three minutes after the restart, their resistance fell as Sergio Aguero’s fierce strike from a tight angle doubled City’s lead.
The Red Devils pulled one back, with Anthony Martial slotting home a nerveless penalty in the 58th minute, but there was not going to be another comeback, as Ilkay Gundogan put the game to bed with a fine goal late on.
We fall to defeat in the Manchester derby. #MUFC #MCIMUN pic.twitter.com/YaArqwQ5Hr
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) November 11, 2018
The result meant Manchester United remain stuck at eighth on the league table, a whopping 12 points behind leaders City just 12 games into the season and seven points below Tottenham Hotspur, who sit fourth. And here’s how Mourinho’s men fared on a fateful evening at the Etihad.
David De Gea: 5/10
No chance with Silva’s shot despite getting a hand to the ball. Not the best of the passes to Jesse Lingard, leading up to City’s second goal and should have done better against Aguero’s strike. Little he could do about Gundogan’s finish after being exposed by an inept defence. A forgetful outing for the Golden Glove holder.
Ashley Young: 5.5/10
The Manchester United captain was always up against it, with David Silva, Raheem Sterling and Benjamin Mendy all looking to exploit his flank, but coped rather well for most parts. Tried to drive his team upfield at every opportunity presented, but could not make a decisive impact. His last-ditch tackle to stop Leroy Sane late on was a standout moment.
Chris Smalling: 5.5/10
Made a few crucial blocks and clearances here and there, but failed to inspire confidence once again. Smalling did not look comfortable with the ball at his feet and wasn’t helped by a struggling midfield that kept conceding possession in dangerous areas.
Victor Lindelof: 5.5/10
Should have charged out to try and block Silva’s effort for the first goal. Apart from that, the Swede had a decent enough first period as he looked to start moves from the back with accurate passes. Easily beaten by Aguero leading up to the second goal. Another stern test for the former Benfica man.
Luke Shaw: 5/10
Partly culpable for the opening goal as he was late to spot Bernardo Silva’s movement, who produced the cutback for David Silva to hammer home. Troubled all game by the dangerous Riyad Mahrez and was booked for a cynical foul on the Algerian. Did not get forward much to offer support to Martial down the left side. A jaded looking display from the Englishman.
Ander Herrera: 4/10
Mourinho’s go-to man for the big games, the Spaniard let his team down in the blockbuster encounter as he was too ponderous and casual on the ball. Gave away possession due to his dallying on a number of occasions, allowing City to break into dangerous counter-attacks. Offered little screening to the back four and did little to influence proceedings in the attacking half.
Nemanja Matic: 4/10
Another game where the Serb has looked pedestrian and off-pace. Never looked comfortable against the fleet-footed City midfielders as they ran past him with much ease. Passive in possession, not solid enough defensively. Matic was guilty for the reigning champions’ third goal as he failed to mark Gundogan and was instead caught ball-watching.
Marouane Fellaini: 5.5/10
Coming into the starting XI in place of the injured Paul Pogba, the Belgian did well defensively as he made the most clearances in the game. Offered very little quality and creativity when on the ball though and alongside Matic and Herrera, made for a rather immobile and ineffective midfield trio.
Jesse Lingard: 4/10
Preferred over Juan Mata, the England international spent most of the game tracking the runs of Benjamin Mendy. When he did get the ball, Lingard was often let down by heavy touches, as was the case in the lead up to one of City’s goals, when he gave the ball away in the centre of the park. A peripheral figure on the evening, he was hooked off early in the second half.
Marcus Rashford: 5/10
Worked hard off the ball, but cut an isolated figure at the top with very little service coming his way. Made a couple of driving runs forward but lacked the support to make any dents into the City defence. Rashford’s hold-up play needs serious improving, if he is to become Manchester United’s leading striker.
Anthony Martial: 5.5/10
The Red Devils’ in-form attacker endured a quiet first half, as he hardly got any opportunity to run at the City defence. And when he did, he was well-marshaled by Kyle Walker and Fernandinho. Got his team back into the game with a composed and clinical penalty – his sixth goal in his last five league outings, but was rather ineffective in the overall sense.
Substitutes
Romelu Lukaku: 5/10
Came on for Lingard in the 57th minute and won the penalty immediately after, from which Martial scored. Did little to impact the proceedings after that.
Juan Mata: 5/10
Thrown in for Herrera in the 73rd minute as United chased the game. Got into decent positions a couple of times, but could not inspire a comeback like he did against Juventus.
Alexis Sanchez: 5/10
Replaced Rashford in the 73rd minute. Tried hard, but barely got into the game.
