Manchester City vs Manchester United: Last 3 meetings

Manchester City 3-1 Manchester United

11 November 2018, Premier League

Ilkay Gundogan scored City's third goal in their November 2018 win at the Etihad

United boss Jose Mourinho found a classic excuse for this loss to their rivals. The Portuguese stated that City were coming off a pair of “friendly” matches – comfortable wins over Southampton and Shakhtar Donetsk – going into the game, whereas his Red Devils had needed to hang tough in order to overcome Bournemouth and Juventus in their corresponding fixtures.

Unfortunately for United fans, regardless of the reasoning, they were simply outclassed in this match. City went one-nil up early on through David Silva after just 12 minutes, and could’ve scored more in the opening half as Mourinho’s side started slowly, suffering from mental fatigue (at least according to their boss).

The Red Devils clung on through the remainder of the half before Sergio Aguero put City two goals ahead early after the break, and it appeared to be game over from there. However, substitute Romelu Lukaku then earned a penalty for United just minutes after entering the fray, giving Mourinho’s men hope.

Anthony Martial duly dispatched the spot-kick, but it was scant consolation for the Red Devils. They were missing key midfielder Paul Pogba and created very little, only managing 1 shot on target off just 6 attempts overall.

In the end German midfielder Ilkay Gundogan sealed the points for Pep Guardiola’s side, finishing off a slick 44-pass move as United’s defenders appeared to be frozen in time. The win put City back on top of the Premier League table – where they would finish the season six months on.