Despite facing a much-improved Manchester United side to the one that was dismantled 4-0 at Everton on Sunday, Manchester City remained imperious on their march to the Premier League title.
The hosts put up a fight but a 2-0 victory for the away side, with Bernardo Silva and substitute Leroy Sane finding the target, was no less than they deserved on Wednesday night.
The result puts the Citizens in the driving seat in the title race with Liverpool while United have now lost seven of their last nine across all competitions.
UNITED REACTION
The narrative in the aftermath of that diabolical display at Goodison Park over the weekend featured words like ‘insipid’, ’embarrassment’ and even ‘disrespectful’. But the one Ole Gunnar Solskjaer seemed to focus on ahead of the Manchester derby was ‘reaction’.
The first instance of it came from the manager himself, wielding the axe and making five changes to his starting XI. United set up in a 5-3-2 system and the intensity from the start was incomparable to what was produced days earlier.
The Red Devils were even the better side during the early exchanges, fighting for every ball and closing down City well. With 15 minutes played at Old Trafford, United already had four attempts at goal to City’s one, they only mustered seven during the defeat at Everton.
Of course, the gulf in class between the two Manchester sides remained palpable, United were just competing extremely well for a period. As the game wore on though, sloppiness crept into the hosts’ play and City took full advantage.
Despite the result in the end, Solskjaer will take plenty of positives from his side’s response after being picked apart by Everton. With Arsenal losing 3-1 at Wolves, a top four spot remains in the balance and now, there’s a performance to build on.
‘Some’ positives: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
CITY DON’T SLIP
Pep Guardiola would’ve brought his side to Old Trafford half expecting their neighbours to roll over but, instead, they were confronted with more fight than anticipated.
It bothered them little though. They had to work for their three points, but it never really looked in doubt. They were composed, well organised and single-minded in their efforts. Eventually, their superiority shone through and they got the job done.
This is certainly cause for concern for Liverpool. A few weeks ago, this looked like the fixture that could trip up the Citizens but with only Burnley, Brighton and Leicester City left in their path, there may be no stopping City now.
They just don’t look like slipping. They look like champions.
🔵 The blue half of the city is happy tonight. But will they be on GW 38 or Liverpool have another saying? 👀#MUNMCI pic.twitter.com/cUv4DIGnqg
— Sport360° (@Sport360) April 24, 2019
FRED IS NO RED
It’s no secret that City have better players and their squad is far superior. All over the pitch, the Blues outclass the Reds for quality but nowhere is that more evident than in the middle of the park.
The disparity between the two sets of midfielders is staggering. Sure, Paul Pogba boasts the talent and ability to thrive at the highest level but rather than lift those around him to his level, he tends to sink closer to theirs.
Still, the Frenchman was the best United had to offer, and Fred was by far the worst. Playing in that key deep-lying midfielder role, the Brazilian couldn’t be less suited to it. He lacks awareness of the space around him and lending him the ball when he’s facing his own goal is a dangerous game.
He lost possession repeatedly and at crucial times, one of which led to City’s second. Some will commend his energy and commitment but United deserve better. Fred is no Red.
Meanwhile, his compatriot Andreas Pereira had a few good moments, creating a couple of openings as well but his inexperience showed and during his 72 minutes on the pitch, he was dispossessed a game-high five times.
Different class: Fred and Bernardo Silva.
