Football Features

    “The darling of Old Trafford” – Player ratings as Man Utd secure first league double over Man City since 2009/10

    By Mohamed Moallim

    Published: 18:35, 8 March 2020

    Manchester United completed a rare Premier League double over neighbours Manchester City on Sunday evening.

    Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men ran out 2-0 winners at Old Trafford courtesy of goals from Anthony Martial and Scott McTominay.

    Man City’s defeat means their grasp on English football’s biggest prize is reduced to a fingertip as runaway leaders Liverpool require six more points to end their 30-year championship wait.

    Here’s how the players rated at Old Trafford:

    Man Utd

    David de Gea – 7 – After last weekend’s horror show at Goodison Park this was a far more assured performance from the Spanish shot-stopper who sprang into action early on to prevent a curling Raheem Sterling effort.

    Victor Lindelöf – 6 – Wasn’t fancy, didn’t need to be, complemented Harry Maguire well even if he was caught out a few times.

    Harry Maguire – 7 – The only blemish was being nutmegged by Sergio Aguero but Man United’s skipper — and leader at the back — put that embarrassing moment behind him by completing the most passes (38) in a red jersey.

    Man Utd vs Man City: Premier League March 8th 2020

    Luke Shaw – 7 – Began tentatively and was often caught out, but grew into the game becoming more aggressive in the tackle, aside from that he made three clearances to help preserve the Red Devils’ clean sheet.

    Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 8 – Kept the mercurial Sterling honest, making no fewer than eight tackles – more than any other player on the pitch – and would occasionally maraud forward to help Man United’s counter-attacks.

    Nemanja Matić – 7 – Continued in his rich vein of form, the Serbian defensive midfielder came to his captain’s rescue with a well-executed last-man tackle on Aguero.

    Fred – 7 – Unfortunate to have been shown a yellow for simulation before half-time, but this was another encouraging performance by the Brazilian midfielder who has grown in stature after cementing a regular starting berth under Solskjaer.

    Brandon Williams – 8 – Repaid his manager’s faith with an assured performance as Man United’s left wing-back and even received a ‘well done’ from Pep Guardiola at the full-time whistle.

    Bruno Fernandes – 8 – Fast-becoming the darling of Old Trafford, he’s galvanised those around him and his quickly taken free-kick was stupendously converted by Martial.

    Daniel James – 6 – Had a good chance early on but it was comfortably saved by Ederson. His decision-making was questioned in the second half when he opting for goal from a tight angle rather than teeing up Fernandes, who found himself in acres of space.

    Anthony Martial – 7 – Another typical performance from the languid French marksman who found himself in the right place to slot home Fernandes’ set-piece. His goal saw him match Eric Cantona by scoring in three consecutive Manchester derby starts for Man United while he also became the first Man United player to score both home and away against Man City in a single Premier League season since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2006/07.

    Substitutes:

    Eric Bailly (for Williams 78) – N/A – A late sub.

    Scott McTominay (for Martial 78) – 6 – His quick-thinking resulted in one of the most bizarre goals you’ll see this season.

    Odion Ighalo (for Fernandes 88) – N/A – A late sub.

    Man City

    Ederson – 4 – He will not want to look back on Martial’s goal, which squirmed underneath him, as it could have easily been prevented. The same could be said for McTominay’s goal in the 97th minute.

    João Cancelo – 5 – A far cry from his Juventus days, the Portuguse full-back only made one cross into Man United’s penalty area.

    Nicolás Otamendi – 5 – Did himself no favours in attempting to brush off that ‘reckless’ tag.

    Fernandinho – 6 – A relatively uninfluential game for the midfielder-cum-defender who became the first player in Mike Dean’s book just before the half hour.

    Oleksandr Zinchenko – 6 – Seldom played the left-back role and instead found himself operating in central midfield. This allowed Man City to dominate possession but Zinchenko was unable to contribute from an attacking perspective.

    Bernardo Silva – 5 – Was his usual mobile self, covering ground and making himself available to receive the ball, but couldn’t penetrate Man United’s solid rear-guard and was taken off on the hour mark.

    Rodri – 6 – Recycled the ball well, Rodri’s 94% pass completion rate was the highest of Man City’s front six players and he also won both of his attempted tackles.

    İlkay Gündoğan – 6 – Man City often played through him and Gündoğan was very economical in possession but, unlike the absent Kevin De Bruyne, he lacked that killer pass.

    Phil Foden – 6 – Tailed off following a promising start largely due to Man United becoming more compact and limiting the space for him to operate in.

    Sergio Agüero – 6 – He could have put Man City in front but then found himself marking Martial and should have done better in the build-up to Man United’s opening goal. Had a second half goal disallowed by VAR for offside.

    Raheem Sterling – 5 – Found himself suffocated up against the aggressive Wan-Bissaka and would occasionally derail Man City’s momentum by squandering possession.

    Substitutes:

    Gabriel Jesus (for Agüero 59) – 5 – A lack of service made him as effective as a chocolate teapot.

    Riyad Mahrez (for Bernardo 60) – 5 – Got stuck in straight away, but was unable to unlock the Man United door.

    Benjamin Mendy (for Zinchenko 77) – N/A – A late sub.

    Man City's passing sonars vs Man Utd

    Man City’s passing sonars vs Man Utd

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