Manchester United vs Manchester City Player Ratings: 9/10 for MOTM Cancelo; De Gea the only positive for hosts

Joao Cancelo was brilliant for Manchester City as they beat Manchester United 2-0 at Old Trafford, with David de Gea being the sole positive for the hosts. 

It was one-way traffic from the off as Manchester City controlled the proceedings at Old Trafford and took the lead over Manchester United just seven minutes in when Eric Bailly diverted a dangerous Joao Cancelo cross into his own net. The Cityzens could have easily taken a five-goal lead before half-time, but David de Gea stood denied Cancelo twice, made a save each from Gabriel Jesus and Kevin De Bruyne while also stopping Victor Lindelof from scoring an own goal.

However, the Spaniard made a meal of a straightforward stop from Bernardo Silva on the cusp of half-time, allowing the visitors to go into the break with a two-goal advantage. After the second half, things slowed down quite a bit as Manchester City took the foot off the gas while Manchester United failed to conjure up any threat going forward.

The Premier League champions could have added a third late in the game, but Foden’s effort drifted just wide off the mark. Having outplayed the Red Devils tactically and technically on the afternoon, Manchester City held on for a comfortable 2-0 victory which took them to second place in the table, two points shy of leaders Chelsea.

As for Manchester United, dark clouds loom over Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after yet another meek surrender to a bitter rival at home. Here are our player ratings for both sets of stars after a largely one-sided affair at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon. 

Manchester United Player Ratings

David de Gea: 7/10

The Spaniard had no chance of stopping Bailly’s own goal but kept United in the game with a string of fine stops in the first period before making a mess of Silva’s shot from close-range for the second goal.

Eric Bailly: 2/10

Starting his first Premier League game of the season, the Ivorian was put under pressure by the Cityzens. He gave away the ball, which sparked the move that led to him putting the ball into his own net. Not comfortable at all and was whisked off at half-time.

Victor Lindelof: 3/10

Back from injury, the Swede was thrust into the lineup right away owing to Raphael Varane’s injury. However, he struggled to cope with the City attack in the first period and almost scored an own-goal. Slightly improved after the break, but that had more to do with City taking the foot off the pedal.

Harry Maguire: 3/10

The Manchester United captain had a headed effort drift wide in the first period. Not good enough at the back as the likes of Bernardo Silva and Gabriel Jesus got around him quite comfortably throughout. He was caught way out of position for the third goal.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka: 2/10

It was a terrible outing for the Manchester United right-back, whose positioning was all over the place from start to finish, as Phil Foden and Joao Cancelo ran riot on his flank. He wasn’t helped by the fact that neither Mason Greenwood nor Bruno Fernandes offered any sort of defensive support, but just not good enough.

Scott McTominay: 4/10

Put under pressure by the visitors constantly, dithered on the ball on the rare occasion that he found himself in possession. He just could not get to grips with the quality of the opposition midfielders, who were miles ahead on quality and technical ability.

Fred: 4/10

Much like McTominay, Fred was bypassed by the Manchester City midfielders with great ease. He tried to run and press, but nothing came off for the Brazilian, as the visitors played around him comfortably.

Luke Shaw: 3/10

Poor defensively, the Englishman did not show the willingness and the intensity to press the visitors. Not aware of Silva’s run leading to the second goal. Not much in the way of attacking outlet either, as he was largely pinned back in his own half. He was taken off with a head injury.

Bruno Fernandes: 3/10

It was just not good enough from the Portuguese, who constantly wasted possession on the rare occasions that Manchester United found themselves on the ball. Misplaced passes, did not track back regularly.

Mason Greenwood: 3/10

Handed a start ahead of Marcus Rashford, Greenwood was near anonymous during his 60+ minutes on the field. He never really got going as the team as a whole struggled to get on the ball and create anything. Fired an effort wide close to the hour mark before being taken off.

Cristiano Ronaldo: 5/10

He forced a save from Ederson with a volleyed effort, but that was as good as it got for the Portuguese talisman. Did show some intent, tried to press and make runs when the team had the ball, but nothing worked out.

SUBSTITUTES

Jadon Sancho: 4/10

Sancho came on for Bailly at half-time against his boyhood club. A couple of good-looking dribbles aside did little of note.

Marcus Rashford: 3/10

The England international replaced Greenwood in the 67th minute. He hardly got on the ball as City controlled the game.

Alex Telles: 3/10

Sent on in place of the injured Shaw for the final twenty minutes or so as a concussion substitute. He was lucky not to give away a penalty late in the game.

Donny van de Beek: N/A

The ex-Ajax ace got to play the final ten minutes after replacing Fred. He gave away the ball leading to a chance for Foden almost immediately after he came on.

Manchester City Player Ratings

Ederson Moraes: 7/10

The Brazilian made a fine save to deny Ronaldo in the first half. Made another stop from the Portuguese close to half-time, although the Manchester United man was pulled back for offside. Calm and composed with the ball at his feet as usual.

Kyle Walker: 7/10

Passed fit to start after being an injury doubt, the England international was comfortable throughout. He did not show the same amount of attacking adventure as Cancelo on the opposite but looked a threat when he got forward, with one of his crosses leading to a chance for Gundogan. Dealt well with the United forwards defensively. Solid and disciplined.

John Stones: 7/10

Starting in place of the suspended Aymeric Laporte, the England international was put under no real pressure by the home team and cruised through the game as a result. He picked out Cancelo on the left with some good cross-field passes and dealt well with Ronaldo when he needed to.

Ruben Dias: 7/10

Did just about enough to put Harry Maguire off for the latter’s headed chance in the first period. Not made to work hard by a meek home attack that had just four touches in the City box throughout the game.

Joao Cancelo: 9/10

After a stunning display in midweek against Club Brugge, the Portuguese full-back was in his elements once again as he constantly found himself in acres of space on the left flank and made the most of it. He forced the own goal for 1-0 with a fine cross into a dangerous area, then forced David de Gea into a couple of saves before setting Silva up for the second goal. Not threatened defensively.

Kevin De Bruyne: 7.5/10

Still not at his very best, but the Belgian international did enough to make himself a nuisance to the Manchester United defence. De Bruyne spent a lot of time on the edge of the Red Devils’ box, adding numbers in attack, creating chances and even calling David de Gea into action on a couple of occasions. 

Rodri: 8.5/10

Acted as the perfect conduit between attack and defence for Manchester City. Kept things ticking along nicely with accurately sprayed passes, won back possession with ease in the middle of the park and bossed the central area from start to finish, providing his team with the control and composure.

Ilkay Gundogan: 7/10

Always eager to get upfield and make darting runs into the box, Gundogan’s movement gave the home team plenty of headaches. However, he could have done better with a couple of chances that came his way on either side of half-time.

Gabriel Jesus: 6.5/10

Not at the same level as some of his attacking partners, but not lacking for effort. Worked hard off the ball when needed, kept the United defenders on their toes with his intensity. Drew a fine save from de Gea in the first half.

Bernardo Silva: 8.5/10

Another brilliant game from the Portuguese who, not long ago, wanted to leave the club but is now one of City’s best players. He offers so much energy and intensity off the ball while producing moments of quality when in possession. Crafted chances, won back possession, dove into tackles, and got the all-important second goal after making a smart run at the back post.

Phil Foden: 8/10

Gave Wan-Bissaka a torrid time with his movement while helping create space for Cancelo to run into. Created a great chance for De Bruyne with a lovely cutback and then almost forced an own-goal from a similar position from Victor Lindelof. Given an opportunity to make it 3-0 late on but sent his effort just wide.