Winners and losers from the Manchester Derby

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Updated: November 12, 2018
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Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City have maintained their unbeaten start to their Premier League campaign with a 3-1 victory over arch-rivals Manchester United in the derby at the Etihad Stadium. City were dominant through the game, especially in the early stages and took the lead through a marauding David Silva before Sergio Aguero doubled the lead just after the half-time kickoff.

Jose Mourinho’s side pulled one back through a well-taken penalty from Anthony Martial after brought down Lukaku in the box. But it turned out to be City night after Ikay Gundogan wrapped up the three points with a well-timed finish past David De Gea from just yards out.

Here are the winners and losers from this fixture.

Winner: David Silva and Bernardo Silva

Manchester City’s captain David Silva was undoubtedly the best player on the pitch. Silva has been City’s driving force since he made the switch to Manchester, but in the last two campaigns, the Spaniard has taken his play to a much higher level. Silva is a nightmare to any opposition, and he is making sure Kevin De Bruyne’s absence is not being felt. El Mago was instrumental in every change created by City and was always at the right place testing United’s resilience.

Bernardo Silva was no less of a nuisance for Manchester United. The young Portuguese might have started in midfield but kept witching roles turning into an inside forward and winger at times. This made it difficult for Manchester United to track his movements. Bernardo was instrumental in setting up Gundogan for Manchester City’s third and final goal.

Losers: Ashley Young & Luke Shaw

Manchester United’s full-backs, Ashley Young and Luke Shaw were made a mockery of by Raheem Sterling, David Silva, Riyad Mahrez and Bernardo Silva. Sterling and David Silva constantly put Ashley Young under pressure, and he hardly received any assistance from Jesse Lingard and Ander Herrera.

Luke Shaw too was in dire straits with Bernado Silva and Mahrez’s movements turning out to be a nightmare for the young Englishman. Shaw was at fault for the first goal conceded by Manchester United. The left-back was unaware if Bernardo’s whereabouts which allowed the Portuguese to deliver a beautiful cross which David Silva tucked in.

Winner: Marouane Fellaini and Romelu Lukaku

Fellaini might be the butt of all jokes, but there is no denying that the Belgian is Jose Mourinho’s most trusted lieutenant. While Manchester United players struggled to contain City, Fellaini dropped deep and made life easier for the Red Devils. His physical presence at the back ensures that City were not going to steamroll past them. But once they found themselves 2-0 down, Fellaini played up the pitch, leaving Matic with too much of world to do. The Belgian could take the positives from this game and could become a key player for Jose this campaign.

Lukaku has faced plenty of flak this season for his below-par performances, however, against City he had a whole new vigour. Within just 30 seconds of coming on, the Belgian won a penalty for Manchester United. For a player who is struggling with form and fitness and not scoring or bagging an assist in 9 games, Lukaku would be feeling good about what he has done in the derby.

Loser: David de Gea and Ederson

David de Gea is one of the best goalkeepers in the world; however, he has failed to justify that tag this season. Only one team in the Premier League has fewer clean sheets than Manchester United, bottom-placed Fulham. De Gea is looking more of a shadow of himself pre-World Cup. While the first goal couldn’t be stopped, De Gea has to be blamed for the second. It started with his poor kick which Lingard lost control off, and he looked easily beaten at the near post by Aguero.

De Gea’s counterpart Ederson is an outstanding goalkeeper, but of late he is showing signs of sloppiness and lapses in his concentration. City could have closed the game with a clean sheet with Manchester United hardly being a threat. But Ederson brought down Lukaku in the box to concede a penalty.