Manchester United: 5 things learned from the dramatic Manchester Derby

After a shocking first-half display, Manchester United came from behind to defeat arch-rivals Manchester City at the Etihad yesterday. Here are five things we learnt from the match.

Vincent Kompany opened the scoring for City and Ilkay Gundogan doubled the lead within half an hour. Raheem Sterling could have extended the home sides lead to make it 3-0 and then 4-0. However, chances went begging and United hit back.

Two quick goals in two minutes for Paul Pogba allowed United to draw level with over 30 minutes to go. And in the 69th minute, Chris Smalling put the Red Devils ahead for the first time in the match. As Martin Atkinson’s whistle sounded, Manchester United claimed a 3-2 victory over their noisy neighbours to delay their Premier League title celebration.

Paul Pogba proves his worth in a three-man midfield

Paul Pogba went from having one of his worst performances of the season in the first half to one of his best in the second. It shows what confidence can do for an individual. One Pogba netted the first goal, he ran the show.

But as well as the confidence enabling him to perform, the base behind him in Matic and Herrera was as important. Matic adding stability and Herrera pressing hard enabled Pogba to play an advanced number 10 position supporting the counter-attack.

In games against the top six, I think this has to be the way forward. United can afford to have just Pogba and Matic against lesser sides as Pogba does switch off in games. Against City, his sole focus was to start counter-attacks and he did it very, very well.