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Man Utd player ratings v Man City: One earns 7/10 but four given 4/10 in derby defeat - gallery

Michael Plant
·5-min read
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 29: Phil Foden of Manchester City scores the team's third goal during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on October 29, 2023 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 29: Phil Foden of Manchester City scores the team's third goal during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on October 29, 2023 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Manchester United suffered another humiliating derby-day defeat to Manchester City on Sunday, as the champions came away from Old Trafford with a 3-0 win.

After a competitive opening half an hour, City took total control of proceedings, with the fluid midfield knocking the ball around United's static equivalent. It was the same players who netted in the last season's league win at the Etihad that were on target for City on Sunday, as Erling Haaland grabbed two and Phil Foden scored in the latter stages of the second half to compound a miserable day for Erik ten Hag's side.

It was a first period in which City retained possession well, but seemed wary of over-committing and allowing space in behind for United to attack into. A second-minute dribble and shot from Scott McTominay was an early demonstration of the Red Devils’ threat in transitional moments.

Made several impressive stops to keep out likes of Foden, Grealish and Haaland. Only Onana’s uncertain footwork prevented him earning a higher rating.
Made several impressive stops to keep out likes of Foden, Grealish and Haaland. Only Onana’s uncertain footwork prevented him earning a higher rating.

Fernandes also fired wide after Rasmus Hojlund stretched the City back four and centred the ball, while McTominay again tested Ederson when he latched onto a long pass from Marcus Rashford’s long ball in behind.

But after an even first 30 minutes, the game changed midway through the opening 45 minutes, when Hojlund grappled with Rodri and held onto the Spaniard in the box. Missed by most in real time, Paul Tierney’s VAR check was something of a surprise, but the referee correctly pointed to the spot.

Haaland stepped up and, ignoring the chants enquiring about his father's health, dispatched the ball beyond Andre Onana. City had showed encouraging moments prior to the goal - such as Foden's header, that Onana frantically cleared - but the penalty changed the flow of the game, with Julian Alvarez’s free-kick tipped wide, while Onana’s full-length sprawl kept out Haaland’s header at the back post from Bernardo Silva’s lofted cross.

Yet, when the same two combined just after the break, the Norwegian didn't miss for a second time. Haaland had all the time in world to coolly plant his header into the back of the net and give City a two-goal lead - nothing Onana could do about this one.

Had a difficult afternoon up against Grealish, who habitually cut inside and created shooting or crossing opportunities. Dalot could do little to stop him from right-back.
Had a difficult afternoon up against Grealish, who habitually cut inside and created shooting or crossing opportunities. Dalot could do little to stop him from right-back.

City’s dominance only increased as the excellent Jack Grealish went close from wide areas on three separate occasions, Julian Alvarez curled one wide from distance and then Bernardo Silva’s effort was held. Onana, United’s best performer on the day, came flying out of his goal to deny Haaland a hat-trick on 71 minutes, but it was only a matter of time until the champions netted a third.

It was Foden who grabbed it, after Rodri’s shot from distance was palmed wide by Onana, and as Jonny Evans switched off, Haaland nipped in behind and centred the ball for a grateful Foden to tap in.

The end to the game was a scrappy, slightly ill-tempered affair, with a clearly embarrassed United resorting to physical methods as they vented their frustrations at another derby where the chasm in class was evident.

Here's how we rated United's players...

Was perhaps the one United defender who didn’t commit any real errors and enjoyed some good moments up against Haaland.
Was perhaps the one United defender who didn’t commit any real errors and enjoyed some good moments up against Haaland.
Looked a uncomfortable playing out from the back, and was at fault for the third City goal.
Looked a uncomfortable playing out from the back, and was at fault for the third City goal.
Is not a natural fit at left-back and was replaced in the latter stages. Lindelof lost possession too often and offered little going forward.
Is not a natural fit at left-back and was replaced in the latter stages. Lindelof lost possession too often and offered little going forward.
The second game in a row the midfielder has been taken off at half-time. Amrabat lost possession on several occasions in the first half and was needlessly booked for his reaction to being fouled by Foden.
The second game in a row the midfielder has been taken off at half-time. Amrabat lost possession on several occasions in the first half and was needlessly booked for his reaction to being fouled by Foden.
At fault for City’s second goal as he failed to track Rodri’s run, which resulted in Haaland being free at the back post. Eriksenhad some good passes, but didn’t control the game or open City up.
At fault for City’s second goal as he failed to track Rodri’s run, which resulted in Haaland being free at the back post. Eriksenhad some good passes, but didn’t control the game or open City up.
Didn’t create enough from the wide areas. Fernandes cut a frustrated figure for long periods of the game and remonstrated with the officials at length following the full-time whistle.
Didn’t create enough from the wide areas. Fernandes cut a frustrated figure for long periods of the game and remonstrated with the officials at length following the full-time whistle.
Was one of United’s more positive players in the first half and made some penetrative runs from deep. But McTominay offered little offensively in the second period.
Was one of United’s more positive players in the first half and made some penetrative runs from deep. But McTominay offered little offensively in the second period.
Anonymous for long spells of the game, and the attacker offered little after a few bright moments in the opening 10 minutes. It’s a worrying trend for the attacker.
Anonymous for long spells of the game, and the attacker offered little after a few bright moments in the opening 10 minutes. It’s a worrying trend for the attacker.
Was a threat on the break for United and helped link the play. But Hojlund’s needless foul on Rodri was the turning point in the game.
Was a threat on the break for United and helped link the play. But Hojlund’s needless foul on Rodri was the turning point in the game.
Put in some good work off the ball, but like most in red, added little quality on the ball.
Put in some good work off the ball, but like most in red, added little quality on the ball.
A difficult game to come into, and the defender barely got a touch of the ball.
A difficult game to come into, and the defender barely got a touch of the ball.
Similar to Reguilon, and Garnacho had little impact.
Similar to Reguilon, and Garnacho had little impact.
Antony (on 84)
Antony (on 84)
Anthony Martial (on 84)
Anthony Martial (on 84)