Man City vs Man United Player Ratings as Phil Foden’s Double Secures Victory
After Liverpool’s win over Nottingham Forest on Saturday, everyone expected Manchester City to dominate Manchester United and cut back the advantage to one point again. However, in a football game, things rarely go as one predicts and that’s exactly what happened….in the first half. Manchester United did what they do best as they took the lead early via an absolutely sensational strike from Marcus Rashford.
Then the Red Devils sat back, soaked up the pressure, Erling Haaland missed a sitter and City went into the break behind as Liverpool fans cheered on a United team for the first time in their lives. But in the end, it was the tale of two halves. If the first half belonged to Manchester United, the second belonged to City as they tore the Red Devils too shreds. Phil Foden was the architect, netting twice before Erling Haaland put his missed sitter behind him to ensure that his side walked away three points.
The Cityzens have now closed the gap, again, to Liverpool with just one point separating them and the league leaders as all eyes turn towards Anfield, next Sunday. Another big game for Pep Guardiola and his men especially with the title race looking as close as it has ever been.
Manchester City
Ederson: 6
Had very little to do as a goalkeeper and could do absolutely nothing about Marcus Rashford’s opening goal. Beyond that, his distribution was impeccable as usual, toeing the line between crazy and sensible in typical Ederson fashion.
Kyle Walker 6
Showed that even at 33, he’s more than capable of keeping up with a 26-year-old Marcus Rashford. He was tested, at times by the United forward and Bruno Fernandes but covered well when called upon and even offered a threat the other way with a few long-range efforts.
Ruben Dias: 6
Not quite his greatest performance as a slip half-way through the first half handed Marcus Rashford the chance to make it 2-0 United. But while the forward didn’t make the Portuguese defender pay, Dias managed to find himself even if he did look rather flustered after that.
Nathan Ake: 7
As solid as ever for someone who was once labelled as a “back-up defender by fans. Even if he has been urusped by Josko Gvardiol this season, Ake shows why Guardiola picks him. Kept Alejandro Garnacho very very quiet and helped out in the other half whenever he could.
John Stones: 6
Did well enough as a defensive midfielder and proved to be a good passing outlet but wasn’t at his best defensively. However, wasn’t the best defensive shield in the world as more than a few counter-attacks got beyond him. Without Rodri in the team, the scoreline may titled towards Manchester United.
Rodri: 8
Proved why he’s one of the best, if not the best, defensive midfielder in the world. Drove City forward, made crucial interceptions and was an impeccable defensive shield for his side. Didn’t threaten from the few corners that his side did get but he can’t do everything, now can he?
Kevin De Bruyne: 6
This may be harsh but then again, it’s Kevin De Bruyne and one expects greatness from a great player which De Bruyne didn’t provide. He did create a hatful of chances. Could he have done better? Of course but by his standards, this is what one would call a slightly below average performance.
Phil Foden: 9
He walked into the game the best City player (on form) and was rewarded with a one-v-one chance to equalise for City about mid-way through the first half. Didn’t take. Then something happened during the half-time break and Phil Foden walked out a new man. The 22-year-old ran the second half for his side, scored an absolute screamer and then tucked away a tough chance. An all-around threat in the second half and if not for him, this game may have gone United’s way.
Bernardo Silva: 7
Produced a typical Bernardo Silva performance as he filled holes all across the field, buzzed around midfield in an attempt to find spaces and a pass, while proving to be a proper menace.
Erling Haaland: 6
By Erling Haaland standards, this was a horrible game. Sure he wasn’t afforded opportunities to show what he can do but Haaland did get one massive chance in the first half. A looping header and an empty net plus Haaland usually leads to a goal. Instead, nothing. He did score to ensure City’s win towards the end.
Jeremy Doku: 5
Saw plenty of the ball but did absolutely nothing with it. Doku’s has a lot of talent and over the last six months, he’s shown some of it. However, today wasn’t his best day as he struggled to beat Diogo Dalot who did very well keeping him quiet.
Subs
Julian Alvarez: 6
Did well enough and provided the assist for Phil Foden’s second half.
Oscar Bobb: NA
Was a stoppage time substitute.
Manchester United
Andre Onana: 8
Arguably his best performance in a Manchester United shirt. His distribution wasn’t great but his goal-kick to find Bruno Fernandes, who assisted the opener, was exquisite. Not only that, Onana as a shot-stopper, making a big save to deny Foden in the first half. Could do very little about Foden’s first or Haaland’s goal but could have done better to stop Foden’s second. Still, United’s best player on the night.
Diogo Dalot: 7
Wasn’t allowed to show what he could in the final third today but as a defender, Diogo Dalot proved why he is Erik ten Hag’s first choice right back. Kept the dangerous Jeremy Doku very very quiet and did well enough when called upon going forward.
Raphael Varane: 6
Not his greatest performance and it showed. Was also caught out for Foden’s second goal which came from an albeit intricate and quick passing move.
Jonny Evans: 6
Did well as a proper defender and stood strong against a tough opponent in Erling Haaland although he had to be replaced in the second half after an injury.
Victor Lindelof: 6
Did well to keep Bernardo Silva and Kevin de Bruyne quiet whenever either threatened down his left flank but pushed Foden inside for his opening goal, and was punished for it. In fairness, he was expecting someone to cover but could have done better himself.
Casemiro: 5
Showed his age tonight and against a “Big Six” opponent, that cannot happen. Not only that, he was more than a little slow as a holding midfielder, wasn’t quick enough with his tackles and looked tired by the second half.
Kobie Mainoo: 6
The best of United’s three midfielders, Mainoo’s youth showed at times over the course of the game but even then, the youngster did the best he could do. Proved to be a decent shield at times and distributed the ball far better than his counter-part in defensive midfield.
Scott McTominay: 6
Was played as a box-to-box option but with his side defending very deep, McTominay had just the one chance to show his box-to-box nature. In the end, he couldn’t make much of that chance either.
Marcus Rashford: 6
Scored a thunderbolt of a strike to open the scoring and should have made it a double for himself before the half-time whistle. Yet, in the end, beyond the goal everything went wrong for the Englishman and on another day, this could have been a big game for him.
Bruno Fernandes: 7
The second best Manchester United player with possibly one of the best performances a forward in a Red Devils’ shirt has produced. Played the false nine role to perfection at times and proved to be a serious issue for City’s defenders. Not only that, showed a shocking amount of strength to hold off Dias before he teed up Rashford’s stunner.
Alejandro Garnacho: 5
An average performance as he was shut out superbly by Nathan Ake. Things didn’t change in the second half with the Dutch defender keeping a close eye on the Argentine. A lot like Doku’s performance, Garnacho did threaten City with his pace at times but never made it count.
Subs
Antony: 5
Replaced Marcus Rashford but with that substitution, Erik ten Hag ensured that his side played with ten men for the remainder of the game. Did absolutely nothing with the ball, nothing off the ball and rarely offered a passing option when United did have possession. Not quite what the club hoped they had gotten.
Willy Kambwala: 6
Replaced Jonny Evans and did the best he could but couldn’t keep up with City’s relentless onslaught.
Omari Forson: 5
Came on far too late to provide any impact on the game but not too much was expected anyway.
Sofyan Amrabat: 4
A shadow of the player he was at the 2022 World Cup, he was at fault for Haaland’s goal and a telling sign of United’s depth that when they needed a goal, a defensive midfielder was sent on.
