5 Manchester United players who underperformed against Manchester City | Premier League 2021-22

Manchester City v Manchester United - Premier League
Manchester City v Manchester United - Premier League

#3 Bruno Fernandes

Manchester United v Watford - Premier League
Manchester United v Watford - Premier League

Manchester United were without both Edinson Cavani and Cristiano Ronaldo for their match against Manchester City, with both of them ruled out due to injury.

In their absence, Ralf Rangnick opted for a false nine, deploying Bruno Fernandes in that role.

Brilliant as he is, the Portuguese struggled to impose himself in the final third and failed to trouble Ederson even once in the match.

His distribution was below par (71.4 percent accuracy), he provided one key pass, and could not complete either of his two attempted dribbles.

Manchester City were also excellent at keeping the Portugal international off the ball. He lost 10 of his 12 duels and lost possession 15 times.

It is fair to say that Manchester City were wildly successful at neutralizing the threat that Fernandes brings to the table.


#2 Harry Maguire

Manchester City v Manchester United - Premier League
Manchester City v Manchester United - Premier League

Courtesy of his struggles at the heart of Manchester United’s defense this season, all eyes were on captain Harry Maguire at the Etihad Stadium.

Unfortunately, the Englishman was caught ball-watching more often than not and failed to organize his men at the back.

Despite United’s strong start, Manchester City were able to carve open a chance for themselves in the fifth minute. Instead of closing down the threat, Maguire was caught back-peddling, which allowed De Bruyne to put his foot through and get on the scoresheet.

Maguire was not completely at fault for City’s second, as it was more of a collective failure by United defenders. But the defender could have surely done better to read the threat.

The former Leicester City man also struggled to play out of the back. His passing was lethargic and did United no favors as they looked to hit on the break. Another sub-par outing by the man wearing the Red Devils’ prestigious armband.


#1 Aaron Wan-Bissaka

Manchester City v Manchester United - Premier League
Manchester City v Manchester United - Premier League

Coming in for Diogo Dalot, Aaron Wan-Bissaka did nothing to justify his inclusion into the Manchester United starting XI.

The right-back was torn apart time and again by City’s quick-footed attackers, as they clearly targeted his side right from the get-go.

The 24-year-old was largely at fault for Man City’s second goal, as he was rather easily brushed aside by Phil Foden en route to goal.

Foden’s shot was saved by De Gea, the resulting rebound by Harry Maguire, but De Bruyne eventually made United pay from Silva’s rebound.

Wan-Bissaka’s distribution was awful as well and he failed to provide anything going forward. Lost possession cheaply as well (15 times) and was arguably the worst player to wear United’s prestigious red kit at the Etihad on Sunday.

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Edited by Samya Majumdar
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