Demolition derby
City smash United as Ralf’s men don’t even get out of first gear
MIDWAY through the second half of what was becoming a one-sided derby, Harry Maguire saw Kevin De Bruyne knock the ball beyond him by the touchline and brought the Manchester City player down with what could only be described as an extraordinarily reckless, deliberate and desperate challenge.
It was, on reflection, entirely representative of what we witnessed from these two teams throughout the course of this game.
In that moment, Maguire knew he was beaten, that he wasn’t quick enough or good enough to deal with his immediate opponent. Over the course of this game, United came to learn that about themselves also.
City, increasingly sure of what they do under Pep Guardiola, were not even at their best. Yet they remained far better than Ralf Rangnick’s United.
City — just 2-1 up at half-time — worked tirelessly throughout the second period to stretch that lead. But at the same time, metaphorically speaking, this was a stroll for them. United did not lay a glove on City in the second period.
It is hard to recall City goalkeeper Ederson doing a single thing of note during that time and, by the end, the shot count stood at 24 against five.
This was not a particularly embarrassing performance by United. Not by their modern standards. That says something in itself. The guys on TV had their say but we have seen much worse.
United were actually a little better than they were when losing 2-0 at home to City in November.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team were desperately meek that day and they were not quite that here.
Nevertheless, it was an afternoon to remind us of what we know. Namely that City continue to cast a shadow so vast across Manchester that United will not be free of it for some time.
On Friday, Rangnick had said United remain some way behind the Premier League champions off the field. Here was evidence that the same also applies out there on the grass, where it really matters.
De Bruyne was City’s best player while goalkeeper David de Gea was United’s. De Bruyne had a supporting cast while De Gea did not. The Spaniard at times presented a solo resistance.
In front of him was a defensive unit far too porous and ponderous to survive. De Bruyne’s first goal
arrived in the fifth minute. Jack Grealish shifted the ball to Bernardo Silva on the left and the Portuguese worked himself enough space to cut it back towards the penalty spot.
From then it was all about who would be quickest in mind and body. De Bruyne faced competition for the ball from Maguire and Alex Telles but was simply sharper. When the low first-time shot arrived, De Gea did not have a chance.
United did not seem afraid of the game, which was something. Soon their midfielder Fred was turning nicely in the penalty area to bring a block from Ederson.
There was a decent thrum to the game at this stage. It felt like a derby should feel. It was competitive. The home side were superior but not dominant and, after De Gea denied De Bruyne with a low save, United broke to equalise.
Paul Pogba burst into the City half and swept the ball to Jadon Sancho on the left. Sancho — once a City youth — had much work to do as he fronted up Kyle Walker but his cause was helped greatly by a Bruno Fernandes gallop up and past him on the outside.
That run distracted Walker just enough for Sancho to ease the ball on to his right foot and his low curling shot was good enough to beat Ederson. It was a super goal from a player who has improved under Rangnick. What was surprising was that United seemed to lack the confidence or the wherewithal to build on it. As a result, the rest of the first half and indeed the game belonged to City. The hosts were not always clinical. On the touchline, Guardiola appeared occasionally irritated. But there was still enough about them to threaten. They were creative. Phil Foden landed an awkward stooping header on the top of the bar in the 25th minute and, three minutes later, they were back in the lead.
United made a bit of a mess of clearing their defensive third and, when Foden ran on to a bouncing ball to make a mug of Victor Lindelof, United were once again in trouble.
The save De Gea applied to Foden’s crisp low shot was superb and a sprawling defender then foiled a follow-up from Silva. But by then sky blue shirts had arrived in number and De Bruyne was able to slam in his second goal from seven yards.
It was a poor goal from United’s point of view. Once again defenders didn’t react quickly enough and it was a theme.
Foden and Riyad Mahrez both found space to worry De Gea before half-time and City’s steady pressure in the second period was enough to sucker United in to conceding a third in the 68th minute.
Mahrez’s half-volley from a corner was exquisite, the space he was afforded criminal.
Then, after the Algerian and Silva fluffed presentable late chances, Mahrez ran through to score high to De Gea’s left in added time.
A linesman’s flag said offside but the VAR technology said otherwise. United’s misery was complete. For now at least.