Manchester United produced a quite unbelievable comeback to turn a 2-0 half-time deficit into a 3-2 win and deny hated rivals Manchester City the chance to win the Premier League title at the Etihad.
As poor as the Red Devils were in the opening 45 minutes – City’s 2-0 interval advantage was the least they deserved for a rampant display – Jose Mourinho’s men were magnificent in the second 45.
Vincent Kompany – a scorer on this ground against the same opponents as City clinched a maiden Premier League title six years ago – headed the hosts in front, with Ilkay Gundogan turning and firing in a fine second in a rampant first half display.
They should have been home and hosed but a different United showed up for the second half, with Paul Pogba’s 90-second brace leveling the score with 10 minutes of the second half gone.
Chris Smalling then steered in Alexis Sanchez’s curling free-kick to give United the lead. And they withstood the City onslaught as Pep Guardiola’s side were left to wait to lift their trophy.
MANCHESTER UNITED (4-3-3)
David De Gea – 7: Poor distribution put his side in trouble on a few occasions, but stunning save from Aguero underlined his status as the world’s best
Antonio Valencia – 5: Given the runaround by Sterling with United’s back four all at sea. Steered his side through choppy waters to a swashbuckling victory
Chris Smalling – 6: Weak for the opener, positional naïvity led to second. Old failings revisited but was reviltalised after the break and calm finish for winner
Eric Bailly – 5: Easily United’s best central defender but below par here. Pulled around by Sane and Sterling, but bounced back in second period
Ashley Young – 6: Epitomised United’s two halves. Horribly exposed in first. Committed and heroic in the second. Lucky an overzealous tackle on Aguero didn’t result in red
Ander Herrera – 7: A shock inclusion considering he’s played twice in six weeks. Stifled City attacks and got under opponents’ skins. Sumptuous assist for Pogba
Nemanja Matic – 6: Looked past his prime as City sauntered forward in the first half, but reined in their marauding midfield after the break
Paul Pogba – 9: United’s one bright spark even in a forgetful first half. Led the comeback. Why can’t he play like this all the time?
Jesse Lingard – 6: One of the few United players who would have felt truly hurt at half-time. A relatively docile display but energy levels never dipped
Romelu Lukaku – 6: Horribly isolated in the first half, Mourinho pushed team-mates closer to him after the break and he brought them into play
Alexis Sanchez – 8: Another week, another telling contribution to a game. Two assists from the Chilean turned it on its head
SUBS:
Marcus Rashford – 6: Little time to make an impact but worked hard going forward and back
Scott McTominay – 6: Not overawed in his brief cameo
Victor Lindelof – N/A: Pushed on as an auxiliary midfielder in stoppage time