Goals from Bruno Fernandes and Luke Shaw handed Manchester United a deserved 2-0 win over Manchester City in the derby at the Etihad.
A must win blockbuster awaited United today at the Etihad as their incredible unbeaten run away from home clashed with Manchester City’s 21 game winning streak. A great chance for the Reds to plug the gap between them and the league leaders, important for United if they want their title chances to remain alive. It’s also important not to forget that Leicester won yesterday and United needed the win to move back into second spot.
It was a fairly predictable lineup as Dean Henderson took to the field between the sticks as David De Gea remained out following the birth of his daughter earlier this week. The experienced striker Edison Cavani did not make the bench, allowing Anthony Martial back into the forward role, although he was a doubt and only passed a fitness test a couple of hours before kick off. There was still no sign of Donny Van de Beek, meaning the midfield duo of Fred and Scott McTominay remained the preferred choice for a game against a side like City. With his confidence starting to soar, Daniel James got another start in the side. The two young starlets Amad Diallo and Shola Shoretire made it onto the bench.
The game swung United’s way instantly when Anthony Martial dribbled off Marcus Rashford’s loose ball, getting a kick from Gabriel Jesus as he entered the box. A bit of a reckless challenge from the City striker allowed United to make it to the spot. The referee and VAR both agreed that it was a penalty. Bruno Fernandes stepped up and put United ahead in only two minutes, despite Ederson almost reaching his strike.
United piled on the pressure straight off the second kick off. A mistake in the City defense allowed Luke Shaw to get a shot off but Ederson easily saved as the full-back was wrong footed.
After five minutes, City appeared stunned but soon found themselves back into the game, a silly loss of possession on the edge of the United box introduced Dean Henderson to the game to make an easy first save.
Ole’s side were visibly confident in the initial fifteen minutes, especially in comparison to last week’s fixture in London. City were able to string passes together but were yet to make anything from them. Rashford attempted a long-range strike yet could not trouble the keeper, Ederson was able to get the comfortable save.
A big burst of pace from Marcus Rashford put United on the counter attack but the winger found himself alone and nothing came from what looked like a promising chance. Straight up the other end of the field, Raheem Sterling went down in the box after running into a stray leg, no penalty was given incidentally. Not soon after, Zinchenko struck from the edge of the box forcing a great save from Dean Henderson in his first ever Manchester Derby.
By the thirty-minute mark, United were looking to revert the tempo as City began to step up their game. The first booking from Anthony Taylor went to Harry Maguire for a late challenge in the middle of the pitch. The United players gave the impression of being dangerous at times but the game had begun to flow in the opposite direction.
City worked their way through the United team smoothly with Gundogan finding the ball on the edge of the box but his shot did not match the quality of the build up and Henderson saved again.
As half time loomed, Bruno Fernandes gave away an unnecessary foul just outside the box, pulling Rodri to the ground. With Kevin De Bruyne standing over the free kick, it was a big test for Dean Henderson. A slight fingertip reached the ball, although it looked to be going over and a corner to Manchester City came to nothing.
A bright counter attack just before the whistle for half time with Daniel James showing his impressive burst of pace. Even with six men forward, Bruno Fernandes’ misplaced pass rendered the chance as a failed one.
Riyad Mahrez fizzed the ball across the face of the United goal, however, it went just wide and Gabriel Jesus struggled to get on to the end of it. Another warning for the Reds.
As the two teams headed into the dressing rooms, United led 1-0 after some brilliant initial pressure. It soon became a labouring first half, with City pressuring United. Dean Henderson seemed very confident. A motivating team talk was needed for the team to hang on to the lead. In general, it was very positive from United in the first 45 minutes, when you compare it to their recent performances.
Half Time – Manchester City 0 – 1 Manchester United
The same side that started the first half started the second as United aimed to hold on to a tight lead, and find that insurance goal.
It was Manchester City who came out of the tunnel on top and they managed to work a good position on to the edge of the box. Rodri’s strike, however, was always rising and the ball struck the crossbar.
A free kick on the left-flank from another unnecessary foul allowed Zinchecnko to swing in a cross, but Henderson gathered the ball safely, swiftly starting the United counter attack. It came to Luke Shaw on the flank and he played a lovely one-two with Marcus Rashford, and went on to strike home through the legs of the City players putting United two goals ahead.
United’s first corner was defended very easily by the home team with the first man clearing it away.
Luke Shaw was booked in the 57th minute as he attempted to stop Riyad Mahrez progressing up the field. He allows the City winger to run into him, and consequently, he is shown yellow.
A promising counter attack led to Manchester City bursting up the right flank, however their hopes were spoiled by Shaw who made an outstanding recovery tackle.
United were piling on pressure with twenty minutes to go and McTominay advanced through the midfield and was fouled on the edge of the box but Martial picked up the loose ball and could not finish one-on-one with Ederson. Perhaps it should have been 3-0 at this point.
Marcus Rashford went down injured in the 70th minute. It looked as though he managed to strain his ankle in a brilliant recovery which stopped another City counter attack. He goes off the field allowing Mason Greenwood to enter the game as Solskjaer’s first change.
With Greenwood on the pitch, Daniel James switched flanks, with Greenwood taking up the right wing.
With Phil Foden now on the pitch, City looked more dangerous and his first chance went wide as he slices the shot, Henderson not needing to intervene. More of a wake up call for the Reds.
Another injury worry for United as Luke Shaw goes down holding his right thigh in the 76th minute, but was back up and on the field soon after.
City came close to scoring again with Kyle Walker’s dangerous cross and Lindelof struggled to manage the cross, ultimately, Raheem Sterling couldn’t find the back of the net. There was a long ten minutes for United left.
With only ten minutes left, City kept piling on the pressure and Greenwood was forced all the way into his own box to stop a goal scoring opportunity from Foden.
The pressure kept building up as United wanted to play out from the back and Fred and McTominay could not break out from midfield, the ball was given away as the visibly frustrated City could not convert again.
Solskjaer’s second change came in the 87th minute as Martial was replaced by Nemanja Matic, with the manager hoping to see out the game.
The third and final change came in added time, with Brandon Williams entering the game with Bruno Fernandes taking to the bench.
In the closing seconds, Manchester City attack again but a good save from Dean Henderson and a clearance from Wan Bissaka ended the game.
To summarise, a spectacular game from Manchester United who played outstanding for the full 90 minutes. Numerous positives to take away from the game and a brilliant result in the end. Luke Shaw, a close contender for man of the match, Dean Henderson and Anthony Martial, all playing fantastic as Solskjaer defeats Guardiola away from home again.
Full Time – Manchester City 0 – 2 Manchester United
Originally published for The United Stand.
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