Manchester United 0-2 Manchester City
Before this Premier League encounter – the 186th Manchester derby – Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had declared his employer was the ‘number one club in Manchester’.
Historically, the Norwegian is right, of course.
However, the stark reality nowadays is that it is the blue neighbours across town, Manchester City, which possesses the far superior team and appears to be a far superior-run organisation.
This lunchtime encounter was further proof.
So much so, in fact, that the outcome was never in doubt.
Highlights of the game
City were at full strength with the exception of suspended centre-back Aymeric Laporte which meant John Stones wad handed just a second league start of the season.
United were also without a player through suspension in Paul Pogba but their main absentees were at other ends of the pitch with Raphael Varane and Edinson Cavani out injured and Marcus Rashford only deemed fit enough to take a place on the bench.
It was pretty obvious in Solskjaer’s pre-match media conference that he intended to play a three-man central defence, even in Varane’s absence, but despite the extra man in their rearguard, the hosts’ defence was sloppy.
Sure enough, the home fans’ fears were realised just seven minutes in.
After Harry Maguire failed to head on target from a Luke Shaw free-kick, City went up the other end and were granted the freedom of Old Trafford.
A Kyle Walker cross was only half cleared and, when Joao Cancelo fizzed the ball into the danger zone from the other side, Eric Bailly sliced it in his own net.
It was comical and yet another example of why this side is going nowhere fast under the current stewardship – although Solskjaer can hardly be blamed for what he had just witnessed.
For a team needing to restore pride on derby day, this was the worst possible start and the home gameplan was already under threat.
Attack and they would likely be picked off on the break; sit back and they were also playing into their opponents’ hands.
Of course, the hosts needed to step out at some point and, after 25 minutes of being second best, they almost equalised when Cristiano Ronaldo swiftly fired a Shaw cross straight at goalkeeper Ederson.
It was a rare moment as City would have added to their tally twice in a minute but for the superb reflexes of David de Gea.
First Phil Foden’s low cross was met by Kevin De Bruyne and, after his shot was blocked, Gabriel Jesus looked certain to score only for De Gea to superbly tip over.
He then produced yet another stunning save, his fingertips pushing Cancelo’s rising drive over the bar.
When De Gea kept out Bernardo Silva moments later, it was fast becoming a one-man show.
As for the home bench, if the manager and coaches did have a plan to stem the tide, it didn’t appear forthcoming.
All the Premier League highlights belonged to City, determined to react positively following their surprise defeat at home to Crystal Palace last weekend, and they deservedly doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time.
It was more shocking defending as Shaw let a Cancelo cross bounce and Silva poked the ball towards the bottom right via De Gea’s chest.
A strange goal but no more than the champions deserved.
Until today, Solskjaer had actually won four of his eight meetings with his opposite number Pep Guardiola, the best ratio of any manager to face the Catalan at least five times.
Yet seeing them stand side-by-side on the touchline was like witnessing a novice coach trying to take on one of the world’s best – it proved no contest.
Indeed, at the interval the Sbotop Premier League betting odds on United tuning the match around stood at 1X2 @ 48.00!
The second half saw Solskjaer revert to a flat back four but the damage was done as City continued to control long spells.
Indeed, only the crossbar prevented them from scoring a third soon after the restart following a cross-cum-shot from Ilkay Gundogan; then a post as Foden drove the ball across De Gea with a shot which grazed the post.
The fact the second half petered out without United making any inroads told its own story – it appeared United’s management and some of the players just had no idea.
Whether this defeat does embarrass the United hierarchy into a decision which should have been made a long time ago is unclear.
After all, English football’s biggest club appears anything but a well-run organisation right now.
This was a gulf in class between the two sides in management, tactics and belief.
Key statistics
United are now without a clean sheet in their last 14 home games in all competitions – they’ve only had one longer run in their entire history without a home clean sheet, a 21-match run between April 1958 and March 1959.
United have lost eight league and cup home games in a calendar year for the first time since 1989.
All three of Silva’s derby goals have come at Old Trafford, scoring in three of his last four appearances there – he has only netted more goals against Burnley (four) in his time at Man City.
Only three of the past 17 Manchester derbies in all competitions have been won by the home team, compared to 11 away victories.
What’s next?
It’s now time for the final international break of 2021.
United resume action at Watford a fortnight today (October 20), while City host Everton the following day.
Both clubs follow that up in midweek with important Champions League matches as United travel to Villarreal in a repeat of last season’s Europa League Final, whereas City host Paris Saint- Germain.
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