Manchester United 1-2 Manchester City: Player Ratings

Manchester United v Manchester City - Premier League
Manchester City go 11 points clear at the top

Derby day belonged to Manchester City as a Nicolas Otamendi winner, late in the second half meant that City continued their winning run and increased the gap between their great rivals to 11 points.

It was an absorbing game of football with different styles of football being paired with one other, at the end of which, Pep Guardiola emerged the big winner.

David Silva opened the scoring with a wonderful kick from a corner, while United gave an instant response in the form of Marcus Rashford.

The second half was a bit cagey, which was ultimately settled by yet another set piece. This time, Nicolas Otamendi scored the winner for the league leaders. On that note, let's take a look at how each player fared in the highly anticipated Manchester derby:


Manchester City

The
There's just no stopping Manchester City

Ederson: 7/10

A quiet first half was followed by a stunning double save from the City goalkeeper. Ederson, playing his first ever derby in England looked calm as ever and was quick as always in distribution.

Kyle Walker: 6/10

Walker proved to be a constant threat to United going forward but his early yellow card meant that he had to be cautious for the remainder of the match. He managed that and also handled the threat of Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford with ease.

Vincent Kompany: 6/10

Kompany won every aerial duel in the first half against Romelu Lukaku, and also made one crucial interception. Another injury brought an end to his derby contribution as he had to be substituted at the break.

Nicolas Otamendi: 8/10

The centre-back is turning out to be the surprise goalscorer of the season, as he got on the scoresheet yet again, this being the most crucial goal of them all. He also played a key role in David Silva's goal, but a missed header at the other end of the field led to United's goal which was the only blemish on his otherwise perfect outing.

Fabian Delph: 5.5/10

The makeshift left-back looked nervous during every United attack and was left in no man's land for Rashford's goal. Delph's passing was decent but this was the first time where City lacked the presence of a proper left back on the field.

Fernandinho: 7/10

Fernandinho's role in this City squad often goes under the radar but performances like this make him a crucial cog in Guardiola's side. His positioning was superb on the night and he also kept things ticking forward. The Brazilian had to slot in at centre back for the second half where he did not have much to do defensively.

David Silva: 8/10

The Spaniard showed great awareness to score the first goal. Silva was running the show at times and after City took the lead for the second time, he played in an unusual false nine role, and as usual, excelled in that position.

Kevin De Bruyne: 6/10

Manchester United v Manchester City - Premier League
Human, after all!

A subdued performance from De Bruyne proved that he too is a human after all. He looked better in the second half than in the first with his passing as United allowed him more time on the ball in the latter stages of the game.

Leroy Sane: 5.5/10

Playing on the flank, Sane could not influence the game as usual with the winger also having to track back for defensive duties. He proved to be a handful for Ashley Young but lacked the final product.

Raheem Sterling: 6/10

United's defenders looked petrified of him at times and were retreating from him on numerous occasions. But Sterling was not at his usual best and lacked his usual swagger up front.

Gabriel Jesus: 6.5/10

Starting ahead of Sergio Aguero, Gabriel Jesus had a huge role to play. He held up the ball well and drifted wide on the left to accommodate Raheem Sterling in the centre. Jesus was also guilty of diving in the first half and was lucky to avoid a booking for that tumble.

Substitutions:

Ilkay Gundogan: 7/10

The German midfielder finally got a chance to play for a longer duration in a big game and he managed to make a lasting impression. Gundogan took the play forward brilliantly and was crisp in his passing.

Eliaquim Mangala: 6/10

The centre-back did his job right, managing a no-nonsense cameo.

Bernardo Silva: 5/10

He played for just over five minutes but had a glorious chance to get on the scoresheet. Silva missed and continued his barren run for the club.

Manchester United

Manchester United v Manchester City - Premier League
Manchester United were the second best team on the night

David de Gea: 7.5/10

The goalkeeper again had a defining role in a big game as De Gea managed to keep City at bay for long durations. His save against Leroy Sane and Kevin De Bruyne were brilliant and kept United in the game. De Gea cannot be blamed for both the goals conceded, with them being scored from almost point-blank range.

Antonio Valencia: 5.5/10

Valencia was up against the pace of Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling on the night. He was exposed badly at times and because of the threat of the City front three, the fullback did not have the confidence to move forward. One of Valencia's rare bad days in the office!

Chris Smalling: 6/10

He didn't always look comfortable with what he did, but at the end, managed to do his job well. He made some crucial interceptions and clearances and was also a constant presence in the referee's ears.

Marcos Rojo: 5.5/10

Rojo played many unnecessary long punts to Lukaku, which were totally aimless. But he was solid in his primary job and made one brilliant tackle against Jesus in the first half. He suffered a head injury in the first half and was replaced by Lindelof soon after.

Ashley Young: 6/10

This was one of Young's toughest assignment at right back with Sane breathing down his neck. He got the better of the winger at times too, but always looked reactive against the course of the action.

Nemanja Matic: 4/10

A big performance was needed from the tall Serb in the derby. He failed to get the hang of the match and often gave away too much time on the ball to De Bruyne. Also, Jesus dropping deep to complement City's midfield negated the impact of Matic for United.

Ander Herrera: 4.5/10

Ander
Ander Herrera took the agression to Manchester City, but it was futile in the end

Herrera looked sharp at the start with his passing but faded as the game progressed. He lacked any authority in the game and was often easily bypassed. A booking for diving in the penalty box summed up his night.

Anthony Martial: 5/10

Martial's display proved yet again that he has to start from the left rather than on the right flank. The Frenchman was chasing shadows on the right and looks far more comfortable in his natural position.

Jesse Lingard: 5.5/10

United's big match player had to feed off scraps as the home side could not muster possession for longer spells. It was Lingard who was marking Silva for the opening goal and his switching off led to the City playmaker having acres of time to attempt a high kick.

Marcus Rashford: 6/10

Rashford was anonymous for almost the entire game but was alert when it mattered the most. He took his chance well and slotted the ball past Ederson with ease. The youngster was frustrated with the lack of service and was later booked for protesting a referee's call.

Romelu Lukaku: 2/10

R
Romelu Lukaku had an absolute nightmare of a game

Easily the worst player on the field. Lukaku had a glorious chance to equalize from almost 3-4 yards in the dying stages but shot straight at Ederson.

He was at fault for both the goals conceded as he should have dealt with that clearance for the Otamendi goal better. His touches were poor and all in all, it was a pretty forgettable game for the Belgian. It is largely looking as if that Lukaku is not made for starting the big games.

Substitutions:

Victor Lindelof: 6/10

The Swede slotted in brilliantly at the heart of defence and did nothing wrong on the night.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic: 4/10

Ibrahimovic hardly had any influence on the game. He came on in the 76th minute, but City managed to keep the big man silent with ease.

Juan Mata: 7/10

The playmaker was creative in his short cameo as he showed that he should have been introduced a bit earlier.

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