Manchester Derby: The Engineer gets the better of the Scot

The Manchester Derby is one of the most significant matches for the fans of both clubs. It used to be all about bragging rights for the City of Manchester. However, derby day has become more significant in the last few seasons, what with the Arab influx into the blue half of Manchester. It is not only about the power shift in the City of Manchester. This game now has a say in deciding the fate of the title at the end of the season.

The first Manchester Derby was one of the most awaited matches of the 2013-14 seasons for both sets of fans. United were playing away to City at the Etihad. However, when the team sheet was announced for the red half of the city, everybody including myself, was in for a shock.

There was no Robin van Persie on the team sheet. It was then learnt, that the Dutchman had suffered a groin injury in training the previous day and was not match fit. Another shock came with the inclusion of Ashley Young over Shinji Kagawa, given his promising performance in Europe against Bayer Leverkusen.

First Half:

Right from the kick-off, City looked set to dominate. United looked clueless in front of the Citizens. Yaya Toure, Jesus Navas, Sergio Aguero and Aleksandar Kolarov seemed unstoppable. A low cross from Kolarov saw Sergio Aguero unleash his brilliance. The opener came in the 16th minute of the match which saw Aguero and the blue half of the city rejoicing.

City were leading by a goal and were in the mood for destruction. United gave a glimmer of hope for few seconds in the first half. A couple of beautifully strung passes in midfield, orchestrated by Rooney, which eventually failed to produce any result. United had no answer to City’s defense. Misplaced passes, giving away possession cheaply and frustration among the players in red, all pioneered United’s play.

United’s defence also seemed to be sleeping apart from Vidic. Then just before half time, United received another blow. A City corner, headed by Negredo towards the far post. Yaya Toure lost his marker, ran behind the United defenders and kneed it home. The Citizens lead 2-0 in the derby. Etihad went crazy.

The first half saw the Citizens dominate with 67% possession. They had 12 shots in total with United just managing a solitary one. Out of the 12 shots, City had eight on target as compared to none from United.

Second Half:

The second half began on a similar note. Sergio Aguero stuck again, assisted by Negredo within the first two minutes. City, now, lead by 3 goals. Everything was going right for the Engineer. Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia looked completely out of place. Young could do nothing correctly and was a complete waste of space. Valencia just could not create the space to deliver in the crosses. Danny Welbeck was the replacement for the Dutchman, but lacked control and vision.

City were showing no mercy. The attacking runs from their full backs continued. Their midfielders continued to find space and create chances. This bore fruit as City struck again in the 50th minute. Jesus Navas crosses in the ball for Nasri to head it home.

The blue half of Manchester went crazy. It was the final nail in United’s coffin. The Red Devils had no answer to the Citizens’ style of play.

The only positive that United could take from the game was during the last five minutes. A couple of chances created, with Rooney hitting the woodwork. However, he did score a consolation goal in the 87th minute. A beautifully taken free kick, hit with precision into the top corner of the net. Then went the final whistle and Etihad erupted. The noisy neighbours got even noisier. There were echoes of that 6-1 defeat from Old Trafford. The Red Sun had failed to eclipse the Blue Moon on this particular occasion.

Flops of the Match:

1) Ashley Young: There was not even a single thing Ashley Young could execute correctly, not even his diving skills. His crosses were just too wide, with even his passes interrupted time and time again. He lacked pace and United’s left flank was literally non-existent.

2) Antonia Valencia: He also looked out of place. Though a couple of runs now and then, he simply could not create the chances. Valencia seemed short on concentration, lacked in pace and just could not deliver in the crosses.

3) Danny Welback: The young forward was nowhere near his best, lacked ball control and vision. He looked completely out of position while receiving the ball from midfield.

Hits of the Match:

1) Vincent Kompany: City’s captain proved why he is regarded as one of the best central defenders in the premier league. He was in complete control. He tormented Wayne Rooney, put his body on the line multiple times, prevented the wingers from delivering the crosses and even ran the full length of the pitch during the third City goal.

2) Sergio “Kun” Aguero: He has lived up to his reputation time and time again. This match also was no exception for the Argentine. His first goal was a moment of brilliance. He crushed any hope of a United comeback when he scored his second goal within the starting moments of the second half.

3) Samir Nasri: Usually relegated to the bench by Mancini, Nasri justified his manager’s decision to start him. He created chances, linked up beautifully with the centre, also hammered the final nail in United’s coffin with the fourth goal of the match for City.

Honorable Mentions:

1) Wayne Rooney: The only player who played his heart out for the visitors was Wayne Rooney. He was the only Red visible throughout the game, running after the ball, stringing passes together and a header hitting the wood work. He also managed to score a consolation goal for his team in the dying minutes of the match.

Overall the Scot David Moyes was humiliated by of the Engineer Manuel Pelligrini in his first Manchester Derby. Everything went right for Pelligrini while nothing went right for Moyes.