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Cape Town - Manchester City moved 11 points clear in the English Premiership title race with a 2-1 win over rivals Manchester United. Here Sport24 rates the players in the Manchester derby.
MANCHESTER UNITED:
David de Gea: 6
Had no chance with both goals but still managed to pull off a handful of good saves. Was good with the ball at his feet and wasn't called into action that often.
Antonio Valencia: 6
Managed to keep Sane quiet for most of the game but offered little going forward as United failed to hold onto the ball when in possession and were forced to employ long-ball tactics.
Chris Smalling: 6
Showed good concentration throughout and kept the City attack at bay making some crucial interceptions.
Marcos Rojo: 6
The same as Smalling in keeping the City attack quiet for large parts of the game although had to be substituted at half-time due to a gash to the head.
Ashley Young: 6
Managed to handle both Sane and Sterling but had a lapse in concentration with five minutes to go in the first-half when caught under a Fabian Delph cross that forced De Gea to tip over a Sane shot leading to the corner from which City took the lead. Like Valencia he offered little going forward.
Ander Herrera: 5
He lacks the quality of a Paul Pogba and failed to influence the game and dominate the midfield. He is a very clever player though and seems to always be aware of the game situations as he was continuously looking to get a City player booked or win a penalty to give his side an advantage. Failed to nullify the impressive Silva and De Bruyne.
Nemanja Matic: 5
His injury seemed to rob him of some of his usually powerful displays and seemed to not be as mobile. Didn’t have as big an impact in the middle of the pitch against a classy City midfield.
Marcus Rashford: 6
Took his goal well with a cool finish after a Fabian Delph mistake but failed to add much going forward as City dominated possession.
Anthony Martial: 5
Was starved of possession as United employed counter-attacking tactics that led to the occasional attack but failed to make any impact going forward.
Jesse Lingard: 5
Couldn't affect the game as he had to live off scraps going forward but also couldn't close down defenders as he did against Arsenal as United seemed happy to drop deep and let City have the ball.
Romelu Lukaku: 2
Had a nightmare as he was directly involved in both City goals. Was overpowered by the smaller Otamendi for the first goal and then failed to keep his composure in making a rash clearance that led to the second. Also failed to hold up the ball with a trampoline first touch as he was bullied throughout the game by the City Defence and cut a confused figure on the pitch.
Manager
Jose Mourinho: 5
Despite the score he actually got his tactics right in allowing City to have the ball in areas where they couldn't hurt his side then trying to hit them on the counter with a pacey attack upfront. Could do nothing in how United conceded two bad goals from set-pieces that left them chasing the game.
MANCHESTER CITY:
Ederson: 7
Didn’t have much to do throughout the 90 minutes but showed an assured first touch when playing out from the back. Pulled off an impressive double save to keep his side in the lead although he didn't know much about the first saved but got up well to deny Mata from close range.
Kyle Walker: 6
Earned a yellow card in the 4th minute but then dealt well with United's pacey wingers in Rashford and Martial.
Nicolas Otamendi: 6
Committed a rare mistake for Rashford’s goal but redeemed himself at the other end of the pitch by scoring City's second. Also kept Lukaku quiet for much of the game and the striker failed to hold on to possession.
Fabian Delph: 5
Committed the error for Rashford’s goal to allow United back into the game and looked uncomfortable in some phases of the game. His confidence seemed to take a hit after the error.
Kevin de Bruyne: 8
Dictated the tempo of the game well and added moments of quality in a complete midfield performance and always seemed to give City an out when hurried in possession. Rarely gave the ball away.
Fernandinho: 7
Was one of the surprises of the game as he was the one instead of his more fashionable midfield partners to make a few defence splitting passes in the first half. Was solid defensively and moved seamlessly into the centre-back position after the injury to Kompany.
David Silva: 9
Scored the all-important opener and United couldn't contain the midfielder who provided the bit of magic needed in the final third. Was also surprisingly one of the feistier players and put in a few tasty tackles with his gutsy display spurring his side on.
Raheem Sterling: 6
Was given a free role to roam in attacking areas and saw a lot of the ball but was stifled by the United defence and couldn’t impact the game as much as he has been doing in previous weeks.
Gabriel Jesus: 5
Was fortunate not to be booked for a dive inside the area and was kept quiet by the United defence. Was preferred to Sergio Aguero for his willingness to work harder off the ball but was substituted after 58 minutes.
Leroy Sane: 6
Was involved in a battle against Antonio Valencia down the right before switching flanks and forced De Gea into making a good first-half save.
Manager
Pep Guardiola: 7
Has to be given credit for always wanting to play football no matter the opposition with City dominating the ball and creating the most chances. He also threw up some surprises tactically in playing Silva and De Bruyne deeper to prevent them from being man-marked by Matic and Herrera as instead Sterling occupied the attacking spaces behind the striker before later switching to his usual formation. Also switched the wingers that surprised United’s full-backs.
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