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Man City player ratings v Man Utd as star man scores 9/10 in dominant derby victory - gallery

Adam Lord
·3-min read
Erling Haaland celebrating scoring his and Man City's second goal at Old Trafford
Erling Haaland celebrating scoring his and Man City's second goal at Old Trafford

Erling Haaland scored twice as Manchester City cruised to a derby-day win against rivals United at Old Trafford.

The Norwegian star could in truth have had a hat-trick and more as Pep Guardiola’s side dominated Erik ten Hag’s men from start to finish.

After the city united to pay their respects to Sir Bobby Charlton, it was the visitors who had the first real chance eight minutes in.

Fine stop denied Scott McTominay in first-half stoppage time having been a spectator at times. Also kept out an effort from Bruno Fernandes.
Fine stop denied Scott McTominay in first-half stoppage time having been a spectator at times. Also kept out an effort from Bruno Fernandes.

A fabulous Rordi pass allowed Kyle Walker to help the ball back into the danger area where a Phil Foden header was just about clawed out by Andre Onana with Haaland closing in.

Jack Grealish then saw a shot in the 20th minute saved by Onana as Guardiola’s men began to exert their superiority.

They got their big chance to go in front with 25 minutes on the clock when Rasmus Hojlund was adjudged to have hauled down Rodri in the area after a VAR check. Haaland then needed no second invitation to put City in front from the spot.

By this point, the visitors were dominant and seemed to be cruising towards half-time until Ederson was forced into a fine stop to deny Scott McTominay in first-half stoppage time.

Often had room to run down the right and nearly laid on an early goal for Foden. Put in a decent shift but did let Rashford in behind in the second half.
Often had room to run down the right and nearly laid on an early goal for Foden. Put in a decent shift but did let Rashford in behind in the second half.

Then at the other end, it was Onana’s turn to produce a stunning save, this time keeping out a Haaland header.

He would not be denied for long though as a fine sweeping move just four minutes into the second half ended with Haaland heading home an almost identical chance from a Bernardo Silva cross.

City were seemingly cruising but almost had their lead cut in half when Marcus Rashford broke in behind but could only drag his shot wide.

Onana was then called into action to deny Haaland a hat-trick 20 minutes from time, denying the Norwegian one-on-one.

Key touch denied Hojlund when the striker threatened to break clear in the first half. Strode into midfield and beyond at will.
Key touch denied Hojlund when the striker threatened to break clear in the first half. Strode into midfield and beyond at will.

The third goal did come on 79 minutes, Onana parrying Rodri’s shot into the path of Haaland who squared for Foden to tap the ball home.

Solid enough but in truth, will have busier afternoons at the heart of the City defence.
Solid enough but in truth, will have busier afternoons at the heart of the City defence.
Early error nearly let in Scott McTominay early on but then increasingly ventured forward as the game progressed.
Early error nearly let in Scott McTominay early on but then increasingly ventured forward as the game progressed.
Gorgeous early pass started the move for Foden’s header before he won the penalty. Serene as ever in the middle of the park with his shot saved for the third goal.
Gorgeous early pass started the move for Foden’s header before he won the penalty. Serene as ever in the middle of the park with his shot saved for the third goal.
Always available in dangerous areas and didn’t waste a pass. Kept City moving and nearly laid on a goal for Foden at the start of the second half before doing just that for Haaland. Probably the best player on the pitch.
Always available in dangerous areas and didn’t waste a pass. Kept City moving and nearly laid on a goal for Foden at the start of the second half before doing just that for Haaland. Probably the best player on the pitch.
Nearly put City in front early doors before a mad pass almost let in Hojlund. At the heart of a lot of the visitors’ good attacking play though and got his goal late in the piece.
Nearly put City in front early doors before a mad pass almost let in Hojlund. At the heart of a lot of the visitors’ good attacking play though and got his goal late in the piece.
The big call from Pep Guardiola as he got the nod over Jeremy Doku. Slack early ball nearly set Rasmus Hojlund away before his influence on the game grew - testing Onana on more than one occasion.
The big call from Pep Guardiola as he got the nod over Jeremy Doku. Slack early ball nearly set Rasmus Hojlund away before his influence on the game grew - testing Onana on more than one occasion.
Tested Onana with a first-half free-kick and buzzed in and around the United backline, proving a real nuisance.
Tested Onana with a first-half free-kick and buzzed in and around the United backline, proving a real nuisance.
Sent Onana the wrong way from the spot and then having been denied once he headed past the United keeper for a second shortly after the interval. Denied a hat-trick one-on-one by Onana 20 minutes from time before laying on the third for Foden.
Sent Onana the wrong way from the spot and then having been denied once he headed past the United keeper for a second shortly after the interval. Denied a hat-trick one-on-one by Onana 20 minutes from time before laying on the third for Foden.