OUTTHOUGHT AND OUTFOUGHT Mourinho is a master controlling the off-pitch agenda, but frustrations on it sparked the post-match fracas as Pep made his foe look like a coaching relic
Vincent Kompany was unable to play the second half. Instead of bringing on a like for like in Eliaquim Mangala, Guardiola switched Fernandinho to central defence and brought on Ilkay Gundogan in his place in midfield, ensuring City kept the ball moving forward in a key area. Even though Gabriel Jesus got the nod ahead of Sergio Aguero, he didn’t operate as an orthodox striker. Jesus drifted out wide on the left, with Leroy Sane switching to the right and Raheem Sterling operating as a false No.9. United’s defence had no-one tangible to mark and allowed City to constantly tease and probe them. He stuck to his famed passing philosophy
The game was less than 10 minutes old when Guardiola berated Kompany for hoofing an aimless ball forward. But the Blues passed their way through
United, cutting through them time and again.
He gave Jesus the nod over
Aguero
Although Aguero had scored eight goals in 11 derbies.
Guardiola recognised Jesus would cause United more problems with his pace and clever movement, dovetailing well with Sane and Sterling. Bringing on Mangala to tighten things up
He brought on Mangala, who made some key blocks in the final half-hour, to seal victory. JOSE MOURINHO controlled the agenda in the build-up to the Manchester derby.
The Manchester United boss, a master of the dark arts, accused City’s players of going to ground too easily, of tactical fouling and even had a dig at Pep Guardiola for wearing a yellow ribbon in support of imprisoned politicians in his native Catalonia. But when his United side took to the field against Guardiola’s City, that sense of control deserted Mourinho as he and his players were subjected to a chastening lesson to slip 11 points behind the Premier League leaders and championselect. Mourinho’s frustration at his side’s 2-1 defeat boiled over in the ensuing bust-up with City that erupted outside the away dressing room, involving as many as 20 people from both clubs, into which the FA has launched an investigation.
City first-team coach Mikel Arteta suffered a cut above an eye from an object – believed to be a bottle – thrown, while Mourinho was said to have had a milk carton thrown at him after remonstrating with Guardiola’s players for the over-zealous way they celebrated their win.
Mourinho was angry at referee Michael Oliver failing to award United a penalty when Ander Herrera (left) went down under a challenge from Nicolas Otamendi with 11 minutes left and the visitors leading 2-1.
The United boss seized on that perceived injustice as the reason for their defeat, rather than accepting that, once again, the forward-thinking and progressive Guardiola had made his old foe Mourinho look like a coaching relic, unable to adapt to the modern game.
Mourinho and Guardiola, whose toxic rivalry was forged during their respective spells at Real Madrid and Barcelona, have met 20 times. Guardiola has triumphed 10 times, with Mourinho winning just four – conclusive proof of who has the upper hand in their rivalry.
While Mourinho bleated about decisions going City’s way and Guardiola’s team being “lucky”, most United fans were not so myopic, accepting they had lost to the better team and have a job on their hands to have any chance of reasserting their domestic dominance in the Guardiola era.
Mourinho’s players, too, shared their manager’s sense of denial over the result and the manner of United’s defeat.
Herrera walked through the interview area after the game, showing the assembled reporters a video clip of the penalty incident on his phone, imploring them to share his sense of disbelief over not being awarded a spot-kick.
And even though City had 65 per cent possession to United’s 35, more shots on and off-target and took the game to their opponents, even though Mourinho’s side had to win the game to effectively reignite the title race, there was a refusal to accept the better side had deservedly triumphed.
“It’s hard to lose the way we did, because we lost with two unlucky goals,” said Herrera.
“I don’t think they created too much. After that, I think we controlled the game. They did play most of the time in our half, but we didn’t have too many problems when they had the ball.
“It’s a real pity to lose the way we did and that’s why we feel even more disappointed.”
Yet even former United skipper Gary Neville, now working as pundit for Sky Sports, was candid enough to admit City were in a different class to Mourinho’s timid side.
“City were on a different level to United,” said Neville.
“It’s tough to do what City have done – to come here and play like they have, showing authority and confidence.
“You’re talking about Barcelona or Real Madrid. Not many teams come here and do that.
“I even saw some United fans at the end clapping off the City manager and players – 70,000 United fans have walked out of there thinking the best team have won.”
If only Mourinho could be so honest in his appraisal of City and the huge chasm and gulf in class that exists between them and United.
Until he does that, they will continue to be second-best to City and he will be operating in the shadow of Guardiola.