Player Ratings : Manchester United vs Manchester City

Manchester City gave their fading title hopes a little push by beating Manchester United 1-2 in a captivating Manchester derby at Old Trafford last night. City manager Roberto Mancini and his players wanted to prove a point, and they did it by reducing the gap at the top to 12 points with 7 games remaining.

It was an enthralling game with chances at both ends aplenty and the players must be given the credit for maintaining those standards for the entire 90 minutes. So lets have a look at how each individual fared on a night where everyone wanted to be a hero.

Manchester United

David De Gea – 6/10Apart from palming away a Milner cross, he didn’t have much to do in the first half. Couldn’t do anything with the two goals City scored in the second half. His ball distribution and handling of crosses was noticeable last evening, which is a continuous improvement.

Patrice Evra – 5/10Was found out of position quite a few times in the first half when he drifted inwards and allowed Milner a lot of space on City’s right hand side to put in dangerous crosses into the United area. Improved in the second half, but still couldn’t provide his usual attacking threat going forward.

Rio Ferdinand – 6/10Was troubled initially by the strength and guile of Carlos Tevez. However, he came back strongly by showcasing his positional sense and thereby keeping a check on Silva and Nasri’s runs. Although he could have done better in City’s second goal where he was by-stander as Aguero scored past De Gea.

Phil Jones – 8/10Probably the best United player on the day. Started in his preferred centre back role and showcased tremendous courage for a 20-year-old. Blocked a dangerous Milner cross in the opening stages of the match and grew in confidence after that. Showed his presence in the opposition box as well, when he headed a Van Persie cross onto the back of Kompany and into the goal, which earned his side the equalizer. Was good in the air as well as territorially.

Rafael – 7/10Didn’t let Nasri get into the game from City’s left hand side. Joined Welbeck in the attack from United’s right wing and hit the post when he tried to chip the keeper from a Van Persie lay off. Earned the free kick off Yaya Toure that led to United’s equalizer.

Danny Welbeck – 6/10The England forward started in an uncharacteristic, but not unfamiliar, right wing role. Was involved in a blistering Manchester United counter-attack in the first half, where he unsuccessfully tried to beat Clichy for pace when he should have passed to a better positioned teammate. Was a threat along with Rafael from United’s right wing but still couldn’t emulate his recent top performances.

Michael Carrick – 7/10Was restricted in a defensive role doe to the constant threat posed by City’s trio of Nasri, Tevez and Silva. Made some important interceptions and won back possession several times for his side. However, his ball distribution through the middle by spreading up the play to wingers or through to the strikers was sorely missed by United. Did his job well defensively but couldn’t contribute to the attack.

Ryan Giggs – 6/10Got a start in yet another important tie for United, but couldn’t emulate the performance he showcased against Real Madrid in the second leg of Champions League. It was his misplaced back heel that led to City’s opening goal. Should have done better with the pass he made to Van Persie in the dying stages of the match, when he got time and space in City’s box after he was found by Ashley Young.

Ashley Young – 6/10Was found wanting in the opening exchanges of the match when he should have tracked back and helped Evra in preventing Milner crossing a couple of dangerous balls into the United box. Improved as the match went by and should have done better when he turned Zabaleta in the first half and got a shot at goal from his left foot. Put in some good crosses in the second half, but found only City defenders at the end of them.

Robin Van Persie – 6/10Yet another goalless match for the United striker who has now gone almost 2 months without scoring. Should have done better with the chance he got when Rooney played him in the first half, but he scuffed his shot wide. Attempted a couple of tame headers straight into the hands of the keeper. However, his hold up play, ball retention and crossing was still top-notch; he created United’s goal when he put in a vicious left foot free kick which only needed a touch from Jones to go in.

Wayne Rooney – 5/10Did well in controlling a high ball onto his chest and laying it off to Van Persie for a half chance in the first half. Couldn’t assert himself into the match as much as he would have liked and thereby left frustrated, which also earned him a booking. Was almost anonymous in the second half.

Substitutes

Antonio Valencia – 5/10Came in for Danny Welbeck for the last ten minutes to provide some natural width on the right hand side. Chipped in a couple of crosses but couldn’t do enough to affect the outcome of the match.

Javier Hernandez – NACame in place of Wayne Rooney for his predatory instincts to get a goal for United. But it was too late for him to make an impact.

Shinji Kagawa - NACame in for injured Ashley Young in stoppage time and hardly got a touch of the ball.

Manchester City

Joe Hart – 6/10Didn’t have a save to make in the first half and held his line well. Could have done better with Van Persie’s cross when he came forward but couldn’t make any contact with the ball, which allowed Jones at the back to tap it home.

Gael Clichy – 7/10Did extremely well in blocking Danny Welbeck in the first half when the England forward tried to beat him for pace, which could have put him through on goal. Went forward with purpose and supported Nasri on the left wing. Put in a few good crosses as well.

Zabaleta – 7/10Was turned around easily by Ashley Young in the first half which gave England winger a clear shot at goal. Put in an otherwise resolute performance at the heart of City defence.

Vincent Kompany – 8/10Another assured performance from the Manchester City captain. He kept Wayne Rooney and Van Persie quiet and didn’t allow any time for exchange play. Got himself booked in the first half for a needless challenge on Ashley Young. Couldn’t have done anything when the ball ricocheted off his back from a Jones’ header and into City’s net.

Matija Nastasi? - 7/10Held his line quite well on City’s right wing and didn’t allow Evra and Young to assert their authority on the game.

James Milner – 8/10Started the match in top form when he put in a couple of delightful crosses into the United box. Scored City’s opener in the second half with a wonderful left footed drive from just outside the box. Was a constant threat throughout on City’s right wing both defensively as well as offensively.

Gareth Barry – 7/10Was asked to play in front of the back four and performed his role well, not allowing Rooney and Van Persie early exchanges of the ball. Won the ball from Ryan Giggs in the second half that led to City’s opening goal.

Yaya Toure – 8/10The heart of City’s midfield put in yet another emphatic performance. Ran box-to-box and was always available to receive the ball. Got his shot blocked by Carrick in the second half which could have led to another City goal. It was his pass to Aguero that led to City’s winner.

David Silva – 9/10Ran the show for City with his constant off the ball movements that put United defenders out of position several times.With the ball, he was even more dangerous as every City attack originated through Silva. His quick exchanges with Tevez and Nasri kept United defenders on toes. He was the sole reason for Carrick’s ineffectiveness in United’s attacks.

Samir Nasri – 6/10Was kept under check by Rafael most of the times. Had to cut inside and look for support from Silva or Tevez. Kept possession but didn’t do anything special with that.

Carlos Tevez – 6/10A rather subdued performance in comparison to his recent performances. He was kept well under check by Phil Jones, but his off-the-ball running was a constant threat for United. Had some good link-up play with Silva and Nasri.

Substitutes

Sergio Aguero - 8/10Came off the bench in place of Nasri to turn the match in City’s favour and did just that. Scored a wonderful individual goal after receiving the ball from Toure just outside the United box and ran past four United defenders, who committed themselves to the challenge, and finally fired a thunderous shot into the roof of the net to silence the home crowd.

Joleon Lescott - NACame in for David Silva in the dying stages of the match. Had little to do apart from defending a corner.

Garcia – NA