After Manchester City’s impressive 2-1 win away over Manchester United in the first derby of the season, we take a look at how the players performed.
Manchester City managed to maintain their 100% start to their Premier League campaign with an impressive 2-1 win away at Old Trafford in the first Manchester derby of the season.
After a game of stunning performances and contentious decisions – as well as one which saw the age-old rivalry between Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola well and truly reignited – we take a look at how each player on both sides fared in the feisty clash.
Manchester United
David De Gea – 6
Could do very little for either goal, and made some important saves midway through the second half to ensure that both the score remained 2-1 and his side remained in the game. Not one of his best performances in a United shirt, but far from one of his worst.
Luke Shaw – 6
Another promising display from the young left-back, but one that was wrought with frustration over having to spend so much of the game either penned back in his own half in the early stages or frantically tracking back as City countered with lightning pace in the second half.
Daley Blind – 5
A rare off-day for the versatile Dutch defender, and one that Blind will be sure to want to put behind him as soon as possible. Bind’s poor positioning and a missed interception led to Kevin De Bruyne opening the scoring for City, and Nolito’s pace and intelligence on the ball was a constant thorn in the side of both Blind and Antonio Valencia.
Eric Bailly – 7
After a shaky start, which saw the young Ivorian beaten by both Iheanacho and De Bruyne in the build-up to the first goal, recovered reasonably well, and was a key part of United keeping the scoreline at 2-1 for the remainder of the game.
Antonio Valencia – 6
The Ecuadorian full-back’s pace offered a constant threat for United throughout the duration of the encounter, but poor crossing and a lack of any real final product was all too often to blame for United’s attacks breaking down in the final third.
Paul Pogba – 5
Looked both out of position and out of his depth throughout most of the match, struggling to deal with the pace and creativity of Silva and De Bruyne throughout. Although still arguably being played out of position by Mourinho – with the French midfielder said to prefer playing further forwards – a massive improvement is needed if the talented young player is to start justifying the record-breaking £89 million United splashed out on him.
Marouane Fellaini – 7
Another solid performance by a man who seems almost reborn under new coach Jose Mourinho. Completed the vast majority of his passes, and used his sheer physicality and size advantage to break up a number of attacks in the first half of the second 45 minutes. Also offered a useful target in the latter stages of the game as United searched in vain for an equalising goal.
Jesse Lingard – 4
Looked thoroughly off the pace from the very first minute, and struggled to adapt to the tempo of the game being dictated by City’s midfield trio. Looked to be lacking match fitness and sharpness, and was eventually pulled at half-time as Mourinho looked to shake things up.
Wayne Rooney – 6
Another performance in which Rooney flattered to deceive, and all too often required one touch too many as United looked to counter City’s defence with speed. Was however involved in an incident with Claudio Bravo which, with hindsight and replays, appears to have indicated that the English forward should have been awarded a penalty.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan – 5
A disappointing display by the talented Armenian forward, and another display which saw the player brought off at half-time as Mourinho looked to make wholesale changes. Was starting his first game for the club, however, and also was coming into the game carrying a slight knock acquired whilst on international duty.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic – 8
Scored with an impressive finish in the first half after the ball was dropped by City’s new summer signing Bravo, and remained a constant threat throughout the game as United looked to claw themselves back onto level terms. Remained a little isolated in the initial stages, but was constantly looking for the ball, and looking to make things happen for the Red Devils in the final third.
Substitutes
Ander Herrera – 7
Came on at half-time and looked fresh and lively for the remainder, despite being played in a slightly more unfamiliar holding role. Will no doubt be looking to start more games in the coming weeks, as he seeks to prove himself to Mourinho.
Marcus Rashford – 8
Also entered the fray at half-time, and looked an immediate threat for the home side. Eternally willing to take people on, and challenge defenders with his raw pace and impressive dribbling ability, the young forward’s impressive display has left many questioning why the forward wasn’t included in the starting XI to begin with.
Anthony Martial – 6
Came on for the final nine minutes, and struggled to make any real impact on the game.
Manchester City
Claudio Bravo – 5
The Chilean ‘keeper was making his first appearance for the Citizens after joining in a £17 million move, and will be keen to forget his nightmare-ish first display for the club. Failed to collect a Wayne Rooney free-kick, leading to United’s only goal in the game, and looked shaky between the sticks from start to finish.
Aleksandar Kolarov – 7
A solid display from one of City’s true defensive stalwarts. Looked largely comfortable throughout much of the first half, and dealt well with both Rooney and Martial’s pace on the right wing for United in the latter stages of the match.
Nicolas Otamendi – 8
Was impressive from start to finish for City, and dealt incredibly well with the physicality of both Fellaini and Ibrahimovic in the latter stages of the match as United launched it long in their pursuit of a dramatic late equaliser.
John Stones – 7
Gave yet another performance indicative of just how important a good manager can be in making a great player. Was impressive both with the ball at his feet, as well as when required to clear it up the field, and – as he himself worded it – ‘put it into row z’.
Bacary Sagna – 7
A solid but unspectacular performance from the veteran French full-back. Helped contain United’s attackers well throughout, and also offered a useful option as both he and Kolarov tucked into midfield, allowing Sterling and Nolito a much greater level of space and freedom out wide ahead of them.
David Silva – 7
An impressive performance from a player much more accustomed to playing in a much more advanced role within this Manchester City side. Was always willing to run directly at United’s midfield and defence, and displayed impressive link-up play throughout with De Bruyne.
Fernandinho – 9
One of the Brazilian’s best ever games in a sky-blue shirt – Fernandinho was a constant menace to United’s attackers, putting both his work rate and physicality to good use. Seemed to not stop running from the very first minute until the very last, and was seemingly behind every single City attack as he sought to win the ball back deep in midfield, and launch his team on the attack through one of either Nolito or De Bruyne.
Nolito – 8
A very impressive performance indeed from a man who barely has 200 minutes of experience playing in English football. Seemed confident and assured on the ball at all times, and linked up fluently and frequently with both compatriot Silva and teammate De Bruyne from start to finish.
Kevin de Bruyne – 9
The official man of the match, and deservedly so. Scored City’s first goal after an impressive piece of pressing – and an even more impressive finish whilst under pressure – the talented Belgian midfielder could easily have scored two or three more today as he tormented United’s defence throughout the entirety of the game.
Raheem Sterling – 6
A quiet display from a player who has quickly become one of new manager Pep Guardiola’s favourite attacking outlets. Was never afraid to run at United’s defence, but was all too often left stranded on the wrong wing as City opted to overload United down the opposing flank.
Kelechi Iheanacho – 8
A big performance from a man of whom very big things are expected. Was left to fill in for Sergio Aguero after the Argentine’s ban, and did more than enough to justify his spot in the team – both indirectly assisting de Bruyne’s first goal, as well as scoring the second after a rebound from a de Bruyne shot. A very impressive overall performance.
Substitutes
Fernando – 6
Came on in the 53rd minute for Iheanacho, and helped City see out the game for the remainder of the second half. A solid but unspectacular performance.
Leroy Sane – 7
Only had 30 minutes with which to mark his Premier League debut, but certainly did nothing to harm his chances of a full start over the coming weeks and months. Looked calm and impressive after coming on for Sterling.
Pablo Zabaleta – 6
Came on in the 90th minute for Kevin de Bruyne. Didn’t have long enough on the pitch to make an impact of any sort.
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