Wake up, it’s finally over.
This Manchester derby won’t live long in the memory of fans of either red or blue. At times the game resembled a game of chess, more than a stereotypical derby, and it looked as though Manchester City came for a point.
Manchester United did little to take the initiative, however.
Here’s how we rated the players.
Manchester United
David De Gea – 6
Ideal preparation for when he’s playing for Real Madrid for next season, De Gea had little to do.
Antonio Valencia – 6
Started brightly, the makeshift right-back got into some decent positions, and quite often the better of Alaxsander Kolarov, but, as is so often the case, lacked a divisive final pass.
Phil Jones – 6
It wouldn’t be a Phil Jones performance without the defender giving United fans a few heart in mouth moments, but the defender got better as the game went on.
Chris Smalling – 6
Another impressive performance from the defender, although he was rarely troubled.
Marcos Rojo – 7
This was arguably Rojo’s best performance in a United shirt. The Argentine was aggressive and positive, nulifying the considerable threat of Kevin de Bruyne throughout, getting to the ball before the City attacker a number of times, and was near flawless in the tackle.
Rojo also did well going forward, delivering a few dangerous crosses and looks much more comfortable at full-back than in central defence.
Bastian Schweinsteiger – 6
A solid, unspectacular performance from the German captain, Schweinstegier had more touches than any other player on the pitch, 86, before being substituted after 74 minutes.
Schweinsteiger is almost symbolic of the United team, controlled but short on dynamism and incision.
Morgan Schneiderlin – 7
Aggressive, comfortable in possession and helped his team recover possession, United’s midfield looks much more secure for Schneiderlin’s presence. The Frenchman always showed for the ball and kept play ticking over.
Ander Herrera – 6
Failed to have an impact on the game, Herrera struggled to get into a game where space was at a premium. Could’ve won his team a penalty following a challenge from Sterling.
Juan Mata – 5
An uncharacteristically poor performance from the Spaniard. Mata struggled to find space in a congested first-half and failed to have any impact when in possession. Hooked off for the pacey Jesse Lingard just after an hour and could half few complaints.
Anthony Martial – 7
You can sense the crowd lift when the young striker gains possession and its easy to see why. Martial went on a number of excellent runs, held up the ball well and, of United’s front four players, Martial was the only one capable of committing defenders.
It’s difficult to fathom why the 19 year has been shunted out to the wing to accommodate Rooney.
Wayne Rooney – 3
The Manchester United captain turned 30 yesterday, but, in footballing years, he looks like a pensioner. Rooney was awful in the first-half, misplacing a number of passes and controlling the ball with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer.
Rooney really struggles when the ball is played into his feet with any pace, a considerable problem for a central striker, and was out-muscled, out-ran and easily dealt with by the opposition.
At times it seemed as though United had ten players on the field, and it must be frustrating for fans of the club to see the dynamic, dangerous Martial moved out of position to accommodate Rooney.
Nevermind trying to find a position for Rooney in the first XI, the England and United captain looks ready for the MLS.
Substitutes
Jese Lingard – 6
The winger almost won the game with a clever, deft shot that beat Joe Hart, but hit the crossbar.
Marouane Fellaini –Â
Not on the pitch long enough to rate.
Mateo Darmian –
Not on the pitch long enough to rate.
Manchester City
Joe Hart – 7
The England number one should’ve brought a book to read during the first-half, didn’t have a save to make but handled a difficult Kompany back-pass with ease. Hart made a late save from a Smalling effort.
Bacary Sagna – 5
Struggled against the dangerous Martial, Sagna was given a bit of a chasing from the 19 year old.
Vincent Kompany – 6
Received an utterly stupid booking for a needless challenge on Martial. The City captain is guilty of diving into tackles, but makes his side look more secure.
Nicolas Otamendi – 7
Dealt with the non-threat of Rooney comfortably and put in a positive performance. Looks a suitable defensive partner for Kompany.
Aleksandar Kolarov – 5
A somewhat sloppy performance, Kolarov almost cost his side when he played Lingard on-side for a late effort.
Fernando – 6
A solid performance, Fernando was decent in possession and cut off space for the opposition in midfield.
Fernandinho – 6
See above.
Kevin De Bruyne – 5
This was something of an off-day for the Belgian. De Bruyne struggled against the controlled aggression of Rojo, and switched to City’s left flank in the second half, but failed to have his usual decisive impact.
Yaya Toure – 5
When United’s defence were in possession, Toure was often City’s furthest player forward, which meant there was little pressure on the opposition. Non-existent.
Raheem Sterling – 5
Sterling failed to control a number of early passes and looked off the pace, made no impact on the game.
Wilfried Bony – 5
Linked up well with his team-mates in the first-half, showing some deft touches, but was otherwise anonymous.
SubstitutesÂ
Iheanacho –
Not on long enough to rate.
Jesus Navas – 5
Made no impact.
