Manchester City 3 – 0 Manchester United
Manchester United coach Ruben Amurri will surely feel the pressure rise after his team’s lackluster display against city rivals.
The famed intensity of the Manchester Derby was barely felt on the pitch. Amid a largely uneventful first half, Manchester City struck the opener. Bruno Fernandes and his teammates couldn’t assert themselves after the break, as Pep Guardiola’s side added two more goals to secure a comfortable victory.
At the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, City won 3-0 in the Premier League, with Phil Foden opening the scoring and Erling Haaland adding a brace.
City dominated possession for nearly 45% of the match, taking 12 shots with five on target. United managed just two shots in the first hour and added eight more in the remainder, most of which lacked threat.
City started their title-defense campaign with two consecutive losses, while United had only managed a win in their last game against Burnley after two draws. This match handed United their first defeat of the season.
After four matches, Manchester City are eighth with six points, while United sit 14th with four. Liverpool, having beaten Burnley 1-0 earlier, top the table with 12 points.
Phil Foden, who had played only 15 minutes as a substitute in one of City’s first three matches, started the derby. His skill produced City’s first real chance on goal.
In the 18th minute, Foden headed home Jeremy Doku’s cross inside the box. This was Foden’s seventh Premier League goal against Manchester United, only behind Sergio Agüero (eight) in Manchester Derby goals for City. Across all teams, only Brighton & Hove Albion’s net has seen him score more times (eight).
Other than that moment, the first half was largely uneventful for both sides. United started the match with some energy but couldn’t maintain rhythm or pace.
City found some momentum at the start of the second half and doubled their lead in the 53rd minute. Doku played a key role again, sending a through ball into the box that Haaland finished with a composed shot. He nearly scored again two minutes later, but his attempt from six yards hit the post.
United created a good chance in the 61st minute. Summer signing Bryan Mbuemo, who joined from Brentford for £6.5 million, struck a powerful volley from inside the box, only for newly-signed City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, recently arriving from PSG, to make a fine save.
In the 68th minute, Haaland sealed the win. Bernardo Silva’s through pass from midfield found the Norwegian striker, who ran unchallenged into the box and calmly slotted the ball past the goalkeeper. Haaland has now scored five goals in four league matches this season.
United tried to keep possession and push forward in the remaining minutes but failed to threaten City meaningfully.
Coach Amurri, already under pressure, will feel it intensify after such a disjointed performance against their city rivals.
