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Manchester United suffered another damaging home defeat at the hands of their bitter rivals as they were swept aside by a rampant City side who took another step closer to the Premier League title.
In such big matches where players’ real strength of characters come out on display, let’s see how each one of them faired individually on the pitch:
Manchester United
David De Gea – 6/10Couldn’t have done much with the three goals that City scored. Made a good save with his left hand from a Dzeko attempt in the first half, although that came from one of his many mis-clearances from the goal.
Patrice Evra – 5/10Defended better on the left hand side of United but didn’t provide any threat going forward.
Rio Ferdinand – 5/10Was at fault for City’s second goal when he was late to react to Dzeko’s movement on the corner who drifted in front of the former England defender and slotted the ball home. Looks a shadow of himself of the yesteryear’s.
Phil Jones – 5/10Couldn’t keep track of Dzeko’s movement in the first half which led to City striker scoring in the opening minute and then missing a chance midway through the first half.Improved as the match went on into the second half.
Rafael – 7/10Made some good forward runs on the right hand side but lacked that final ball or cross which could have troubled the City defenders. Tried his best and performed best of all the United defenders.
Tom Cleverley – 4/10Looked a player very short on self-confidence as he lost possession several times in the first half. Was rightfully substituted for Kagawa at the start of second half.
Marouane Fellaini – 5/10Struggled to cope up with the strength of Yaya Toure and Fernandinho in the midfield. Was lucky not to have received a red card after he struck an elbow on Zabaleta. Had a chance to score on the volley in first half which he scuffed over the bar. Yet to score a goal in the red shirt.
Michael Carrick – 6/10Although he tried to perform his duty to shield the back four to the best of his abilities, but struggled for support in coping with the slick passing and movement of City forwards. Hardly got a chance to move forward and dictate play.
Juan Mata – 5/10After a good display at the weekend against West Ham, the Spaniard produced a rather subdued performance against City. Got into good positions behind the City midfield but lacked in producing that final ball to Rooney or Welbeck. Had a chance to score from his unfavoured right foot at the edge of the penalty area in the first half, but he scuffed it over the bar.
Danny Welbeck – 7/10Worked his socks off at the front and tried using his pace to run in behind the City defenders. Produced the only important from Joe Hart in the second half when he back flicked a low cross from Rafael. Earned himself a yellow in the first half for a lunge on Zabaleta.
Wayne Rooney – 6/10Another player whose performance levels dropped from the weekend win against West Ham. Was largely left a lone figure upfront in the first half with a lack of service. Played in the midfield in the second half but failed to have any influence on the game.
Substitutions
Shinji Kagawa – 5/10Came on for Tom Cleverley at the start of second half but failed to produce any kind of impact on the match as his manager would have hoped him to. Another player who looks short on self-confidence.
Antonio Valencia – 5/10Came on for Fellaini in the second half. Had little impact on the game.
Javier Hernandez – 5/10Came on late in the second half for Danny Welbeck and couldn’t do anything to turn the match around.
Manchester City
Joe Hart – 7/10Largely had nothing to do for the entire match except for one quick reaction save that he had to make from a Welbeck’s flick in the second half.
Pablo Zabaleta – 7/10Was at the end of two poor fouls from Fellaini and Welbeck in the first half which earned both the United players yellow cards. The Argentine defender didn’t have much to do in the match as there was little threat from United left.
Vincent Kompany – 8/10The City captain produced another inspired display at the back for the blues. Except for a yellow card that he earned for a cynical foul on Welbeck in the first half, he kept control of the proceedings at the back for City.
Dimechelis – 7/10Was very comfortable alongside Kompany in the center of City’s defense. Easily coped with any threat posed by United strikers.
Gael Clichy – 7/10Dealt with all the threat posed by Rafael and Mata on the United right hand side. The City left back was quick and decisive in his defending.
Yaya Toure – 9/10Another inspired display from the Ivorian international who made it looked effortless in bossing the midfield. Capped the performance by scoring the third goal late in the game with a beautiful first touch and then slotting in past De Gea in the far corner.
Fernandinho – 7/10Had a comfortable evening alongside Toure in the City midfield. Performed his duties of shielding the back four perfectly. Had a chance just outside the area in the second half which he drifted over the bar.
Samir Nasri – 7/10Was unlucky not to have scored himself in the first minute when he fooled the defender and struck the post before the ball fell into the path of Edin Dzeko for an easy finish. Was a nuisance throughout from the City left wing.
David Silva – 8/10The Spaniard was a treat to watch throughout the match with his silky touches and excellent vision. Should have scored in the first half when he scuffed his shot wide in a one on one. Took up some fantastic positions in those pockets of spaces behind the United midfield and was at the heart of every City attack.
Jesus Navas – 7/10Was a real handful in on City’s right wing using his pace and trickery to get behind the United defense. Had a part to play in the opening goal.
Edin Dzeko – 9/10Scored the second fastest goal in the Manchester Derby after just 44 seconds when a Samir Nasri’s effort at goal fell onto his path for an easy finish. Lost his marker on a corner and slotted the ball home in the second half to double the City lead and put them into a comfortable position. Could have scored a hattrick had he not missed a relatively easy chance in the first half.
Substitutions
Javi Garcia – NACame on late in the match to keep a lid on proceedings. Had little impact.
James Milner – 6/10Came on in the second half and performed his duties well. Nothing noteworthy though.
Alvaro Negredo – NACame in very late in place of Edin Dzeko. Tried a long range effort from his favoured left foot which was well blocked by United defenders.
