Manchester United finally broke the jinx against the Citizens at Old Trafford to trash their Derby rival 4-2. After losing their last three derbies at home, United’s fortunes looked to have been going in similar fashion when Aguero opened the scoring. But quick respone through Ashley Young and another immediatley followed by Maroune Fellaini put United in front.
Second half goals from Juan Mata and Chris Smalling killed the game as a contest. A late Aguero consolation was not enough as City lost 4-2.
Let us look at how the players performed on the night:
Manchester United
David Degea – 7.5/10
The Spaniard couldn’t have done much with the goals as it was his defenders fault. However, he was otherwise impressive. He made a crucial save against Jesus Navas early on to keep United on track, then ran out of his box to clear a through pass from Yaya Toure just under the nose of Aguero.
Antonio Valencia – 7/10
He initially struggled to get into the match, but slowly got settled in his role and looked impressive both when defending and going forward. Notably, Valencia impressively tracked Aguero till the byline when he was the last man.
Chris Smalling – 8/10
When his teammates struggled to get their grip on the match in the early stages, he alone stood strong. He made a crucial tackle on Silva to prevent him from scoring early on. He looked composed till the end and grabbed the team’s fourth goal.
Phil Jones – 7/10
Initially struggled to keep pace with the match, however his performance improved as the match wore on and he looked right at home.
Daley Blind – 7.5/10
With Blind in form, Marcos Rojo and Luke Shaw have to settle for a place on the bench. The versatile Dutchman was impressive in defending and looked equally good while going forward.
Michael Carrick – 7/10
He allowe Silva to go past him to set up the early goal. Since then he looked composed in the midfield with his passing and was effective while defending.
Ander Herrera – 7.5/10
He was at the heart of many things United did good on the night. His touches and passing on the night was outstanding and he got an assist for the equaliser.
Maroune Fellaini – 8/10
The Big Belgian continued his ressurgence with another impressive performance. He scored the second goal to put United in front and played a crucial role in the equaliser.
Juan Mata – 8/10
He continued his trend of scoring in big matches. After scoring three goals against Liverpool in both the encounters, he scored the third on the night with a composed finish.
Ashley Young – 8.5/10
If he continues to perform in this calibre, British record signing angel Di Maria has got to settle in the bench for the rest of the campaign. He grabbed the equaliser to start United’s comeback and provided two more assists.
Wayne Rooney – 7/10
Rooney would be disappointed not to get on the score sheet. He wasn’t at his usual best, nonetheless he was always on his opposition toes by quickly closing them down and grabbed an assist for Mata’s goal.
Substitutes
Marcos Rojo (75′) – 6/10
He came on for Jones and helped United see out the game.
Angel Di Maria (81′) – N/A
Hardly had anytime to make an impact.
Radamel Falcao (83) – N/A
Hardly had anytime to make an impact.
Manchester City
Joe Hart – 7/10
He cannot be blamed for any of City goals. He however did well to keep the scoreline look decent especially with a string of saves at the start of the second half.
Pablo Zabaleta – 6/10
He was at fault for United’s equaliser. However, he did well since and grabbed an assist for Aguero’s second.
Vincent Kompany – 4/10
He was lucky not to get sent off for a rash tackle on Blind in the first half and was rightly taken off at the break as a precaution to avoid being sent off.
Martin Demichellis – 6/10
He looked better than his defensive partner, however he couldn’t do much to prevent United’s on slaught.
Gael Clichy – 4/10
He was clearly the weak link in City’s team. He was at fault for both United’s first half goals. He neither did much in the attacking third.
Fernandinho – 6/10
He looked strong while defending and intercepted many United forward passes. However he offered nothing much in attack.
Yaya Toure – 5/10
He wasn’t at his usual best. Except for few troublesome passes and good forward runs he was virtually a spectator. He also ignored his defensive duties on the night.
James Milner – 6/10
A typical workman like performance from the England internationl. However he did not offer much in attack.
Jesus Navas – 5/10
He had a great opportunity early on, but failed to score from it. He was at the heart of many City attacks early on, however failed to make much of it.
David Silva – 6.5/10
He provided a great assist for the opener, but failed to live up to the same level and got lost in the match.
Sergio Aguero – 7.5/10
He was the only odd one out on the night for City. He grabbed both City goals, unfortunately it wasn’t enough.
Substitutes
Mangala (45′) – 4/10
He replaced Vincent Kompany at the break, but he was at the same level as his predecessor. Mangala failed to keep up with United’s pace as the Reds out ran them.
Samir Nasri (63′) – 4/10
He was unable to do much to change the course of the game.
Frank Lampard (74′) – 5/10
He put Zabaleta through on goal for City’s second, however it was too little too late.