'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Joe Hart – 5.5
The Englishman had a terrible night, having been beaten thrice by the United attack, and yet there wasn’t much he could have done about it.
Pablo Zabaleta – 7
After being outplayed on the flank by Young and Evra, he did had something to contribute in the game – an absolute scorcher of a goal to level the scores in the closing stages.
Vincent Kompany – 6
Kompany’s abrupt exit from the game was never going to help his side, especially at a time when United were still trying to gather any kind of momentum in the game.
Matija Nastasic – 6
Considering the importance of the fixture, his positioning and marking was pretty lethargic. The Serbian also looked pretty tentative during the set-piece situations.
Gael Clichy – 6.5
Clichy was left pretty much exposed against the menacing pair of Valencia and Rafael, yet he did put up a valiant fight to keep the game alive. His also created some opportunities with his imposing forward runs and was one of the better players in the blue shirt.
Gareth Barry – 5.5
Barry was one of the let downs for the City side, as the Englishman was left struggling against some quality pressing efforts from United.
Yaya Toure – 7
Yaya always relishes the derby occasions and it was another fierce performance from the midfield talisman. Probably, it was his injury that can be deemed as the turning point of the game.
David Silva – 6
Another one of those games this season for the Spaniard where he’s failed to live up to the expectation on his shoulders. He was way below par going forward and never bothered to track back to cover the flank either.
Samir Nasri – 4
The Frenchman never quite looked focused enough for this big game. He kept on arguing with the ref, losing the possession and also went on to play a part in United’s winning goal.
Sergio Aguero – 6.5
The City striker had a stop-start game and at the end of the day, his manager would’ve hope for much more out of him.
Mario Balotelli – 4
Another typical shabby, foolish, yet dramatic outing for the Italian – guess that sums it all!
Substitutes:
Kolo Toure – 6
Brought on by the manager to replace his injured skipper and Toure did his job without much fuss at the back.
Carlos Tevez – 7
The Argentinean was the impact substitution as the tide turned in City’s favour. He did all the hardwork to conjure the first goal and would be disappointed for not being able to score himself.
Edin Dzeko – N.A.
David De Gea – 7.5
After a shaky opening phase, De Gea did look pretty comfortable in front of the goal. Although the manager hasn’t been playing him consistently this season, his strong performances in the big games should do a lot of good to improve his credentials.
Rafael da Silva – 7
Rafael was excellent throughout the game as he played in a perfect cross to Rooney that led to United’s second goal.
Rio Ferdinand – 6.5
Rio had a busy night in keeping things tight at the back and could only get better as the season goes on.
Jonny Evans – 6.5
Another player who had to leave the game with an injury, yet had a decent control over the scheme of things until then.
Patrice Evra – 6.5
The Frenchman was a reliable presence on the left flank as he enjoyed playing second fiddle to a marauding Ashley Young.
Antonio Valencia – 6.5
After losing out early exchanges with his opposite number Clichy, Valencia labored his way to a decent performance for his side.
Tom Cleverley – 7
Cleverley’s energy was always going to be a trump card for Fergie ahead of this game and he did his best to negate City’s midfield influence the game.
Michael Carrick – 6.5
Carrick kept his well-tuned passing machine working until the final whistle as he delivered another strong performance in the midfield engine of the away side.
Ashley Young – 8
Going into this game, picking Young ahead of Welbeck was always a gamble – and it paid off for United as the winger played some scintillating football that was decisive in clinching three massive points.
Wayne Rooney – 9
Wayne Rooney doesn’t need an invitation to turn up on the biggest of occasions. This was the striker’s best performance this season and the two goals take his tally to 10 goals in the Manchester derbies.
Robin van Persie – 8
The Dutchman was considerably quiet for most of the game but he did play his part when it mattered most for United. He scored another winner tonight and fittingly stood as that minute difference in the game between the two sides.
Substitutes:
Chirs Smalling – 6.5
Replacing Evans early in the second half, Smalling could’ve put up a bit more resistance against the City onslaught. Yet, his presence was handy in defending the set-pieces.
Danny Welbeck – N.A.
Phil Jones – N.A.
