Manchester United 4-2 Manchester City: Takeways
Credit: @ManUtd
It was a demolition job in the end as Manchester United regained their rightful crown of the Kings of Manchester. Although City took the lead it was not long before the game was back on level terms thanks to Ashley Young. Already pressing hard, United kept up the pressure and scored another through Fellaini to take the lead. This led to two more goals and an Aguero consolation. A result that will sting so bad for the blue-side of Manchester. Even Chris Smalling got in on the action as he grabbed United’s fourth. Juan Mata was the other goalscorer as he continues to impress after being given another lease of life in the team alongside midfield partner Ander Hererra.
Here is what can be taken from this result:
1) Manchester United’s derby woes over
It is no secret United had struggled in their last few derby’s with Manchester City. The last derby match that United won was way back in 2012. Now, that has all changed.
"Niall Quinn said on Sky Sports that the display against City was “the best Manchester United performance since the glory days of Sir Alex Ferguson”."
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It was indeed a great display, and Sir Alex Ferguson was in the stands to see it happen. The United team showed great desire when they fell behind thanks to Aguero’s early goal and the wingers bombarded the City flanks. Pablo Zabaleta had a horrible afternoon against Ashley Young, and Yaya Toure was moved into a defensive role in an unsuccessful attempt to contain Fellaini who had been too much for the City defence to handle.
There was the occasional defensive error, but on the whole the team defended well, and always looked ready to spring a killer counter-attack. It was a solid team display, from De Gea being quick off his mark to beat City’s forwards to the ball, all the way through the field to Marouane Fellaini causing the defenders trouble with his height, winning every aerial ball.
Manchester City have continued their decline, having fallen to fourth in the table now as Manchester United and Arsenal power their way up the table chasing Chelsea. Champions League football looks secured for United at least. How far will City fall if they continue to stall? Another thing is for certain – Louis van Gaal’s job is safe. For his Manchester City counterpart; that is not certain at all.
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2) Carrick runs the show
Sure, the goalscorers will obviously make the headlines, but had it not been for Michael Carrick maybe the game could have played out a little differently. He had the highest pass completion of any player on the field, completing 91.9% of his passes.
His ability to make accurate passes releases the more attack minded players, ensuring that the team can break forward without worrying too much about defending because Carrick has that department covered. It was obvious when he walked off the field with around 10 minutes to go with some sort of injury troubling him, that United’s shape fell apart and had to ease of the gas. It was without Carrick on the field that Aguero managed to score his second.
Critics may point to his single goal this season, and only two assists, but that does not mean he is any less important in the side. Without him, the midfield is much less fluid and cannot give the service that the strikers need. He keeps the defence covered too and always keeps the ball moving. The game against Manchester City was no different, and if anything, was the perfect display from the England midfielder.
One little stat to show his importance to the cause, Of the 15 games he has started this season, United have won 11 of them. With 7 games left until the end of the season, he will no doubt continue to be a key player.
3) Ashley Young simply too good
There were plenty of great individual performances, but it is worth pointing out the standout game Ashley Young had.
Once the laughing-stock of the squad, he is now keeping Angel Di Maria out of the team. He terrorised the City defence with his pace and neat footwork; and of course was the first United player on the score-sheet as he leveled the game. He was named Gary Neville’s Man of the Match; and was certainly in contention for many other Man of the Match awards alongside the other front-runner Marouane Fellaini.
Young has really improved this season, and the display against City was continuing proof of that. He deserved his goal for the work he had put in and put in a good shift all game long. His crosses were near perfect – evident in Fellaini and Smalling’s goals. Hopefully his form will carry on and he keeps his place which he has fought back to earn as a result.
One last thing. Seemingly inevitable whenever a United player plays well throughout the season – when will Real Madrid come calling for Young?