Manchester United has now faced a second defeat this season as they lost 3-0 at Etihad earlier today. Pep Guardiola’s City had won five of the last eight meetings with Manchester United but we’re only able to grab a point off a struggling United side last season. The 197th Manchester derby began with a minute’s applause following the death of Champion boxer and Manchester City fan Ricky Hatton.
Team squads
Manchester City had Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal behind Abdukodir Khusanov, Ruben Dias, Jasko Guardiola, and Nico O’Reilly. Rodri, Tijjani Reijnders and Phil Foden were in the midfield with Bernardo Silva and Jeremy Doku played on both wings while Erling Haaland played forward.
For United, Altay Bayindir was in goal with Leny Yoro, Matthjs de Ligt and Luke Shaw on the back line. in midfield was Noussair Mazraoui, Bruno Fernandes, Manuel Ugarte, and Patrick Dorgu. While Amad Diallo, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko played forward.
With a total of six changes to the team that lost to Brighton, deadline day acquisition, Donnarumma, made his debut for City becoming the first City player to do so in a derby since September 2016. City’s injury list includes John Stones, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Omar Marmoush, and Rayan Cherki.
Meanwhile, United made four changes as they dropped Casemiro while Diogo Dalot, Matheus Cunha and Mason Mount were all unavailable.
Match rundown
City came close to an early opener when Doku turned in the box and found Haaland who tried a shot from a tight angle. The low attempt flashed across the face of goal and just a few feet wide of the right post. Manchester United continued with a somewhat bright start advancing the ball to Sesko who made an effort from the edge of the box but his shot was directed straight at Donnarumma who safely made his first save for Manchester City.
Shortly afterwards, Haaland almost caused trouble for United’s goalkeeper with a quick reaction to a loose touch by Bayindir. 18 minutes into the game, Phil Foden made an opener for City with a header from close ranger, raising his tally of six goals against United.
City muddled up a great chance to double their lead in the 26th minute when Haaland ram down the centre and laid off a pass to Bernardo Silva who returned the ball back to him but Haaland couldn’t control the ball and United were able to clear their line. City then enjoyed possession of the ball for the rest of the second half.
Trailing by a goal, the second half was on the way and Erling Haaland made his 150th appearance for City a memorable one by netted a second goal for City in the 53rd minute through an assist from Doku.
Shortly afterwards City failed to make it three as Doku pounced on a loose pass from De Ligt and finds Haaland who is delayed by Bayindir and could only strike the base of the right post. Bernardo Silva still missed the follow up and United were relieved for the moment.
City kept on looking dangerous and were rewarded again in the 68th minute when Haaland beat Bayindir once again after loosing Maguire making the goal tally three. Haaland became second to Alan Shearer as the player to have reached fifty Premier League goals on home turf in fewer games.
Manchester United came close a few times through Mbeumo who aimed for the left corner but zipped narrowly wide. Amad created another great opportunity two minutes later but Mbeumo was unable to react. United also came close with a double chance in the 86th minute when Casemiro poked the ball wide from close range from a Bruno Fernandes pass. Moments later, Dorgu was free in the box and lined up a shot over the bar to sum up United’s efforts.
Once again United suffer another defeat just four games into this season and will try to find their footing when they welcome Chelsea to Old Trafford next weekend. Meanwhile, Guardiola and his team will head into their Champions League kickoff on Thursday at home to Italian champions, Napoli.
