Manchester United 1-3 Manchester City: 3 observations from the game | Carabao Cup 2019-20

#1 Pep Guardiola masterclass

Pep Guardiola was the brains behind Manchester City's win

Pep Guardiola outclassed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in terms of tactics. Pep named a starting XI with no striker as both Gabriel Jesus and Sergio Aguero were on the bench. Instead, Kevin de Bruyne started as a false nine, with Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling holding the width on either sides of the field.

That turned out to be a masterstroke as De Bruyne dropped deep whenever City had possession of the ball, which meant that the away side were creating two on one situations all over the pitch, while Sterling and Mahrez were making runs in behind the United defence.

Also, because City had no one upfront, the United defenders had nobody to mark, which made them hold their position and not press too high.

Bernardo Silva and De Bruyne were given free roles in midfield, while Rodri and Ilkay Gundogan stayed deep and assisted the build-up play. City's second goal on the day was a compliment to the system they were playing in as Silva found the ball in midfield and Mahrez made a run coming inside from the left flank. Silva found Mahrez and the latter did the rest, with a lovely finish.

Guardiola learned from the last defeat they suffered against United. He knew the Red Devils will come out with a two-man midfield, so he increased the numbers in the middle of the park, which in turn enabled City to dominate the game and stop possible United counter-attacks as well. It was a proper Pep Guardiola masterclass!