Manchester United suffer loss in the Manchester Derby

Chloe Reynolds

As soon as the Manchester Derby was announced, everyone looked forward to it. However, the Reds will want to forget the day they lost 3-0 to their local rivals, Manchester City.

Erling Haaland was the standout man with a goal in each half before setting up Phil Foden for the City’s third.  There were touching scenes before the start of the match as supporters from both sides came together to pay tribute to the late Sir Bobby Charlton, with Mike Summerbee and Brian Kidd, who played for both teams, being welcomed onto the pitch before a minute’s applause at Old Trafford.

Rodrigo’s pass found Kyle Walker, who ran into the box. The header found Foden, who saw it be pushed out by Andre Onana. The hosts were trying to get numbers behind the City midfielders, with the Blues’ defence looking outnumbered at times. Jack Grealish produced a curling shot that was turned around the post by Onana.

Haaland Scores Again

Haaland put City ahead just 26 minutes from the penalty spot after Rasmus Hojlund dragged down Rodri. Rodri was penalised after the referee paused the game for a VAR check. This confirmed that Rodri had been fouled and pointed to the penalty spot. This was the first penalty for Manchester City at Old Trafford since 1992.

“Onana produced a fantastic save”

Hojlund broke free after an errant Foden pass and was disturbed by John Stones’s pull before he could apply the finishing touch. He found Fernandes, but the effort went over the bar. Onana produced a fantastic save to deny Haaland a second from a far post header just on the stroke of half-time. Still, he didn’t have to wait long to double City’s lead after Bernardo Silva produced a perfect cross, finding Haaland to head it into the back of the net.

Scott McTominay finished a counter-attack with a fierce shot from the edge of the box that Ederson turned past the post. City quickly responded with what could have been a second goal. Bernardo’s cross from the left found the head of Haaland, but the Norwegian planted the ball central which allowed Onana to make a clean save.

The Second Half

Shortly after halftime, the hosts were quickly on the attack. Captain Bruno Fernandes fired a vicious drive that was caught by Ederson. A break forward saw Alvarez switch play, finding Grealish on the left. With the overlap of Bernardo, he sent a cross to Haaland who firmly planted it in the back of the net making it 2-0 to City. Grealish was denied by Onana once again after Bernardo’s run created a gap that the England winger almost exploited.

Marcus Rashford moved into the box unmarked after settling the ball on his chest. Unluckily, he sent the angled shot just wide.

More Goals at Old Trafford

The goal that finally settled the points was when Haaland unselfishly picked out Foden, who darted into the six-yard box and coolly flicked it into the net to make it 3-0, seeing the final result of the Manchester Derby. Manchester City have looked short of their best this season. The reigning champions gave a perfect display to outclass their biggest rivals. Haaland showed strength and hunger for a goal. But Onana did well to deny him twice, exposing the home side’s flaws.

“City were controlled and passed the ball around with confidence.”

In contrast to United’s shapeless efforts, City were controlled and passed the ball around with confidence. Foden’s goal and City’s third gave the score line a realistic appearance as City exerted a stranglehold throughout. Further goals could have been added through Grealish and Silva.

John Stones returned to City’s side which only added to their quality. In the closing stages of this Derby, the sights of thousands of empty seats around Old Trafford told the tale of a thousand words. Stoppage time saw the heat of the derby come to life, leading substitute Antony and Fernandes to go in the book.

The Red Devils had plenty of chances within the game, the biggest coming from Scott McTominay who was denied by Ederson. Rashford also had his chance sent wide. But Ten Hag’s side didn’t have the urgency and was outmanoeuvred by Pep Guardiola’s side.

The Aftermath of the Manchester Derby

City coach Guardiola spoke to the BBC after the win and said: “The Treble has a lot of influence on all of us, me included. I said many times, no one has won four in a row and it will be difficult for us. We just need to be there, close, and arrive in the final moments at the end of the season near to our opponents and try again.”

Chloe Reynolds

Football journalism graduate, currently studying a masters in sports journalism