MANCHESTER UNITED delivered a Manchester United performance of old to send City’s title hopes up in smoke.
‘s side had a point to prove and delivered a first derby win at Old Trafford since January 2023 to send United FOURTH in the table.
Manchester United delivered delivered performance from 20 years ago to send City’s title hopes up in smoke.Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
finally broke the deadlock in the 65th minute after United had two goals disallowed for offside in the first-half.
then sent the red side of Manchester into dreamland after pouncing on Rico Lewis‘ error in the 76th minute.
Mason Mount thought he completed the rout before a long VAR check chalked off the third. City now languish six points behind table leaders Arsenal.
Here’s how SunSport’s Katherine Walsh rated the United players from a bouncing .
Senne Lammens – 6
Enjoyed a quiet first half and hour before conceding a bizarre corner with Doku’s shot flying well wide. Recovered well with a huge save from the resulting set-piece.
Diogo Dalot – 5
The weak link. The Portugal fullback was booked and was lucky to have avoided a red in the 10th minute.
Put a nail in every United attack in the final third in the first-half but was more steady in the second-half.
Lisandro Martinez – 7
Silenced the critics. Clearly ignored the unnecessary midweek criticism from and as did not pick him up and throw him in the net.
The Argentine was on hand to block Haaland’s first shot at goal in the 54th minute and pushed forward with glare and poise.
Harry Maguire – 8
A welcomed return to his first Prem appearance since November 8. But he nodded against the crossbar from point-blank range inside three minutes.
Delivered great balls into the front-line in the second-half and was colossal at the back as he headed everything clear.
Luke Shaw – 7
Got back intercepted Foden who was through on goal but naively booked after making retaliatory challenge after ref Anthony Taylor ignored a foul on his team-mate
Casemiro – 6
This loyal and faithful servant should be released at the end of his contract in the summer.
The Brazil captain made key interceptions but committed too early to challenges in front of his box to leave space for City and was so poor on the ball.
Kobbie Mainoo – 7
Great on the ball again but game passed him by at times with Fernandes so influential to proceedings.
What was thinking leaving Mainoo on the bench for the best part of a year.
Bruno Fernandes – 8
The engine of this United side is simply irreplaceable. He linked up superbly with Mbeumo and delivered several stunning crosses into the box.
His seventh assist of the season produced a perfect goal to feed Mbeumo. Spread the ball out to Amad for another chance.
Patrick Dorgu – 7
The Dane continued to grow in confidence in another adapted position, this time at left-wing.
The January 2025 signing made aggressive runs and was lively on the ball but is still lacking composure in his end product.
Amad – 7
Looked slightly rusty early on after being thrown straight in from Ivory Coast’s Afcon elimination. Was caught offside for Mbeumo’s disallowed goal.
He perked up in the second-half after finding space on the right but often made the wrong final decision. Denied 3-0 after smacking the post.
Bryan Mbeumo – 7
The star drifted wide and deep in his role as a false nine. He should have smelt blood with 20-year-old Max Alleyne starting nervy.
Was denied by on several occasions before his expert low finish broke the deadlock.
SUBS
Matheus Cunha (for Mbeumo, 70) – 7
Bounced back from his benching to assist United’s second after picking out Dorgu. Was denied another assist after a long VAR check for Mount’s goal.
Manuel Ugarte (for Casemiro, 81) – 5
Was solid enough in the final 10.
Mason Mount (for Fernandes, 90) – N/A
Scored with his first touch second after coming on but it was later ruled out.
Ayden Heaven (for Martinez, 90) – N/A
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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