Manchester City 1-2 Manchester United: 3 crucial factors which stood out in the Manchester derby

#3 City missed some key players

City’s defence has looked a bit vulnerable this season owing to the absence of Aymeric Laporte, one of their most consistent performers from last season. The 34-year-old Fernandinho and an inconsistent John Stones were not able to stop the United counter-attacks.

Moreover, Rodri could not fall back quickly enough to stop the swift moves by United. City were clearly missing Laporte at the heart of their defence.

They also missed Sergio Aguero upfront, as Gabriel Jesus tried desperately to compensate for the former’s absence. However, Jesus did not have the clinical accuracy needed to replace the 31-year-old Argentine striker, who has scored 244 goals in 353 matches for City so far.

Jesus started moving to the left flank frequently in the second half to create space for other players, and Sterling made some forays into the opposition box, but those efforts were not enough to make up for Aguero’s absence.

About the author

Subhadeep, an adept tennis journalist at Sportskeeda, has been writing about the sport for seven years. He is known for his exclusive match reviews and opinion pieces, utilizing his MBA degree to tackle them effectively with his problem-solving abilities.

Subhadeep lives and breathes tennis. He watches matches regularly and engages in social media platforms to stay on top of the latest happenings. As a writer, he brings the fan's perspective to his pieces, ensuring his readers enjoy an exceptional experience every time.

Growing up, he idolized Boris Becker, but he now firmly believes Novak Djokovic stands alone as the 'Greatest of all Time', especially considering the 24-time Grand Slam champion's incredible stats. One thing that still puzzles Subhadeep, however, is how Becker's Wimbledon tally might have reached five if not for Pete Sampras.

Speaking of the All England Club, the British Major holds a special place in his heart as he admires its blend of tradition and grass-court excellence. When not working for Sportskeeda, Subhadeep delves into the other "love of his life": football, and enjoys contributing his insights to different websites dedicated to the sport.

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Edited by Musab Abid