Manchester derby review
Another fantastic tribute by Manchester United celebrating the life of Sir Bobby Charlton before the Manchester derby kicked off. Manchester United went with a make shipped back four with Diego Dalot right back, Johnny Evans & Harry Maguire centre half and Victor Lindelof left back. Man City went with a strong team for this game with Jack Grealish, Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva, Julian Alverez and Erling Haaland all starting. Man United started the game ok but Silva started to control the game with his incredible range of passing.
Man United were defending deep but the odd chance through Rasmus Hojlund. Hojlund was creating chances but no other Man United players made an effort to get on the end of his passes. Man City were awarded a penalty in the 26th minute which Haaland scored nonchalantly. The penalty was soft as there was not much contact and Rodri fell very easily to the ground. Man United nearly scored at the end of the first half through a shot from Scott McTominay which brought out an excellent save from Ederson.
Erik Ten Hag made a strange substitute at half time as he took off Sofyan Amrabat and replaced him with Mason Mount. This change made the team very imbalanced and it came too easy for Man City to play through Man United’s midfield. Man City went two nil up on the 49th minute through a second goal from Haaland. Man City’s second goal sucked the life out of Man United and the away side controlled the remainder of the game. Man United failed to create many chances in the second half but Marcus Rashford missed a great opportunity to make it 2-1. The gulf in class between the two teams became more noticeable as the game went on. Haaland became the creator as Foden sealed the game with a third goal for Man City. Man City would of scored four or five only for great saves from Andre Onana. Silva for Man City was unbelievable and he is irreplaceable for Pep Guardiola’s men.
Man City closed the gap on leaders Tottenham Hotspur with this win and this will be their easiest game as Man United are very poor. Man United are currently in eight position in the table and eight points off fourth placed Liverpool. Man City set the standards both on and off the pitch especially the way they conduct themselves as a football club. Man United will do well to finish in the top four this season and it doesn’t get any easier for Ten Hag’s men as they have to play Newcastle, Everton, Aston Villa, West Ham, Liverpool and Chelsea before the end of the year.
Man City play as a team were as Man United play as a group of individuals and hope something might happen on the pitch. Some of the players that played last weekend for Man United should be nowhere near the club. The club is a mess off the pitch and all the staff could be gone if Jim Ratcliffe buys a share in Man United. Man United have spent over one billion in transfers over the last 10 years and not one signing has improved the Manchester club. Since Sir Alex Ferguson left as Man United boss they are still able to attract big players and had great managers especially in Jose Mourinho but for some reason everyone has failed while playing or managing at Old Trafford.
Man United are not just miles off Man City but also Spurs, Arsenal and Liverpool are all a class above Ten Hag’s men. The problems at Old Trafford are bigger than the manager and sacking Ten Hag is not the answer at the moment. A lot of Man United players are out of form which includes Rashford and Bruno Fernandes is more focused in throwing his hands in the air rather than rallying his players as captain. It’s now 10 years since Man United won a Premier League and the worrying thing is that it could be another few years before they return to the top table in English football. Man United are very poor at the moment but Man City are excellent and a joy to watch.