Pep Guardiola's side cruised to victory at Old Trafford as the pressure continues to build on Erik ten Hag after another miserable display
Manchester is blue. It has been for some time, and on Sunday's evidence, it will remain so for quite a while yet. City's 3-0 win over United at Old Trafford was even more dominant than the scoreline suggests, as Pep Guardiola's side yet again waltzed their way through a derby without having to really break sweat.
City actually lost on their last visit to 'The Theatre of Dreams', but United have fallen off a cliff since then, as Erik ten Hag struggles to inspire much confidence with the way his team is playing at present. They are already nine points behind City, 11 points off Premier League leaders Tottenham and eight points in arrears to fourth-placed Liverpool with only 10 games of the season played.
Still, many would have expected United to get up for the visit of their neighbours, but despite a couple of exciting counter-attacking moments, they barely laid a glove on City. Instead, the visitors were in cruise control as soon as Erling Haaland fired them ahead from the penalty spot after 26 minutes.
Haaland could have had as many as five goals on the day if not for the saves of Andre Onana, but he did at least find a second shortly after half-time after heading in a floated cross from the brilliant Bernardo Silva. Phil Foden then added a third from a Haaland assist, while the Mancunian on the other side, Marcus Rashford, endured yet another miserable outing in what is quickly becoming a forgettable season for the United forward.
GOAL breaks down the winners & losers from Old Trafford…
GettyWINNER: Erling Haaland
Just another day at the office for the best striker in world football. Haaland's two goals here take his Premier League tally for the season to 11, and he now has five goals in his first three experiences of the Manchester Derby.
As always, the Norway international wasn't involved much in build-up play, but was on the spot to finish enough chances to ensure that City were in full control of this match well inside the hour mark. His penalty was confidently dispatched while he buried a header for his second after the break.
If not for Andre Onana, he could have had another three goals, and Haaland will probably think that at least two of those opportunities should have been put away given his finishing ability. But nevertheless, he and City just keep on rolling, and while Haaland is fit, they will be the favourites to win every competition they remain in contention for.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesLOSER: Rasmus Hojlund
Hojlund had a paradoxical game in that he was United's most lively attacker by a mile, but when push came to shove – pun intended – he fell short.
The game was goalless when he grappled with Rodri in the box while defending a free-kick, hauling the Spaniard to the floor and conceding the penalty after a VAR review. The decision felt a little harsh, but also spoke of Hojlund's inexperience.
The striker also could have been more streetwise when he hared towards goal in the first half, with John Stones in close pursuit. There was contact from Stones, but Hojlund stayed on his feet, surrendering a potential penalty and red card for Stones. Even after staying on his feet, he could have tried to draw contact from Ederson, but instead teed up Fernandes.
Hojlund should not get too much blame though – it is astounding that a 20-year-old is being asked to carry an entire team on his back.
Getty ImagesWINNER: Bernardo Silva
Manchester United came into this match knowing that they had to keep Bernardo Silva quiet. The Portugal international makes City tick from midfield, and stopping him from creating chances could have been the difference between a win or a loss.
We'll never know if it would have worked, though, as Bernardo made a mockery of United's man-marking scheme to absolutely boss yet another derby. Neither Christian Eriksen in the first half nor Scott McTominay in the second could get anywhere near the ex-Monaco man, and he ran the show as a result.
Those who didn't watch the game will see Bernardo provided the assist for Haaland's second goal, but his game was about far more than that one cross. That said, this was the fifth assist against United of his career – no Premier League player has more since 2017.
It looked for a long time like Bernardo would be leaving the Etihad Stadium last summer, and there's a strong chance that this is his final campaign as a City player. But the fact that they were able to convince him to stay for one more go around could yet prove the difference between success and failure.
Getty LOSER: Marcus Rashford
The saddest thing is that when Marcus Rashford missed the target from close range after Kyle Walker had fallen to the floor midway through the second half, there was an air of inevitability to it. There were no howls of exasperation from the Old Trafford faithful, instead the air was filled with resigned sighs.
Rashford cut a downtrodden figure throughout the game and barely created a hint of danger. He did not seem to be on the same page as Hojlund, which was summed up when the Denmark striker broke free in the first half and wanted to pass to Rashford, but his team-mate wasn't quick enough to give him a realistic passing option.
Rashford has played 13 games this season, every match in the Premier League and Champions League, but has just one goal and three assists. Perhaps it's time to take him out of the firing line.