#360view: Man Utd's look to youth pays off against stale City

Alam Khan - Reporter 10:10 21/03/2016
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  • Youthful spark: Marcus Rashford.

    The sight of Marcus Rashford leaving Martin Demichelis bemused and on his back before scoring the winning goal was not only a highlight of Sunday’s 171st derby between Manchester City and United, but of the current plight of the two clubs.

    Where Louis van Gaal pinned United’s hopes on an exciting 18-year-old striker, brought through the youth team, his City counterpart Manuel Pellegrini turned to a 35-year-old centreback to try to stop him.

    What ensued was somewhat one-sided and inevitable, and ultimately feared once City’s first-choice pairing of Vincent Kompany and Nicolas Otamendi suffered injuries in the midweek Champions League tie with Dynamo Kiev.

    For all the criticism about Van Gaal’s management and United’s own struggles and inspid displays this season, the Dutchman deserves considerable credit for giving young players a chance and it now looks to be paying off as their top-four hopes were given a massive boost, while putting their neighbours under pressure.

    With a committed effort, youthful exuberance made the difference at the Etihad, and could well determine how both sides finish in this campaign – and perform in the future.

    Where Rashford, Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard were inventive as well as inspired, City looked short of ideas and tired in attack.

    It has baffled many that Pellegrini has not called upon youngsters like Kelechi Iheanacho – City’s own Rashford – or winger Bersant Celina, as injuries have taken their toll.

    The 19-year-old Iheanacho has nine goals this season, but started just three times in the league with 17 appearances as a sub.

    Wilfried Bony, an expensive misfit, has been preferred instead. David Silva and Yaya Toure, so often influential in the past, look weary in the present. Attacks became routine as they pumped the ball into the box and hoped Sergio Aguero would produce a finish.

    It was all too predictable; the line-up, the changes, the outcome. It feels as if time has caught up with this City side that has enjoyed much success in the last five years, and it is the end of an era.

    Relying on Demichelis was perhaps indicative of the mindset of City under Pellegrini. It was clear last season that the Argentine was on the wane. A great servant, useful in defence and midfield, but now found wanting in a league where swift counter-attacks and pacy frontmen are all the rage.

    Rio Ferdinand found this out in his final season at Old Trafford, and perhaps John Terry now at Chelsea. As Van Gaal observed afterwards, the years catch up with every player.

    Demichelis should have gone last summer. Another year’s contract seemed strange with the highly-rated Jason Denayer waiting in the wings, but then shipped out on loan. Denayer should have stayed.

    Blind faith and loyalty can be the downfall of the best of managers – but this is an attitude that Pep Guardiola must change when he takes over in the summer. There has to be an overhaul at the club and younger players, whether currently there or world-renowned talent, must be brought in and given a chance to shape a brighter, even better, future. City need freshness as well as a fresh direction.

    Pellegrini seems only to trust those he knows well. But as he is leaving anyway, he must now be prepared to gamble if City are to stay in the top four and perhaps progress further in the Champions League.

    With Joe Hart and Raheem Sterling joining Kompany on the sidelines, it does not augur well. And if United do pip them, Van Gaal will have hit the jackpot by taking a risk on Rashford.

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