Soccer

PLAYER RATINGS: Erling Haaland steals the show in the Manchester derby

Erling Haaland steals the show in the Manchester derby with two goals and an assist while Bernardo Silva controls the game from midfield… but Rasmus Hojlund lacks composure in crucial moments: PLAYER RATINGS

  • Manchester City beat local rivals Manchester United 3-0 on Sunday afternoon
  • Haaland scored twice before setting up Phil Foden to score the game’s third goal
  • United, meanwhile, struggled again and Erik ten Hag should accept some blame 

Manchester City once again took the bragging rights in the Manchester derby, beating their local rivals 3-0 thanks to a brace from Erling Haaland and a strike from Phil Foden.

Haaland scored a first half penalty before doubling his tally with a header from close range in the second period, finally setting up Foden to poke in.

It meant City moved to within two points of Premier League leaders Tottenham, ensuring the early stages of the title race remain close with just four points separating the top five teams after 10 games.

United, meanwhile, are eighth and eight points away from Liverpool in fourth as the struggle to keep tabs on the Champions League places in the division.

Mail Sport’s JACK GAUGHAN was at Old Trafford to rate the players following City’s win. 

Erling Haaland shone in the Manchester derby, scoring twice and providing an assist in the 3-0 victory on Sunday

City moved to within two points of league leaders Tottenham with all teams having player 10 games this season

MANCHESTER UNITED (4-2-3-1)

ANDRE ONANA – 7: Huge saves to deny Erling Haaland in both halves prevented this from being hugely embarrassing for United.

DIOGO DALOT – 6: Struggled with the Jack Grealish-Bernardo Silva overload without much protection from elsewhere.

HARRY MAGUIRE – 6: United gave up plenty of opportunities but that was more down to team shape. Can’t be blamed for the defeat.

JONNY EVANS – 5.5: Major selection surprise, his first derby since 2011. Broadly OK but was sleeping for City’s third goal late on.

VICTOR LINDELOF – 5.5: Out at left back again, Lindelof was twice caught positionally at the back post by Haaland and Phil Foden.

SOFYAN AMRABAT – 5: A little bit ragged, looked lost when trying to deal with City’s inventive movement. Didn’t have much help.

Sofyan Amrabat (right) struggled in midfield again for United, but received little help from his team-mates

United captain Bruno Fernandes (right) has struggled to impact games recently but did get more involved in the second half

CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN – 6: Erik ten Hag picked Eriksen to protect the ball but United couldn’t get him on it enough.

SCOTT MCTOMINAY – 6: Form means he’s best served higher but dropped deep when Amrabat came off. The change didn’t work.

BRUNO FERNANDES – 5.5: Became more involved after the break and the tactical switch. Needs to start affecting games more.

MARCUS RASHFORD – 5.5: Close to manufacturing some positive moments without proper conviction to follow them through. One big miss.

RASMUS HOJLUND – 5.5: Causes loads of problems but lacks real composure. Daft defending for the early City penalty.

Subs

Mason Mount (for Amrabat, 46):  5

Sergio Reguilon (for Lindelof, 73): 6

Alejandro Garnacho (for Hojlund, 73): 6

Anthony Martial (for Rashford, 86)

Antony (for Eriksen, 86)

Manager: Erik ten Hag – 4.5: Does Ten Hag have to hold his hands up for team selection and substitutions? Jeered by the home fans when he hooked Hojlund.

Marcus Rashford (left) continues to struggle for United, too, and missed one big chance

Rasmus Hojlund (centre) caused problems in attack for United but lacks composure and wasted a good opportunity

Red Devils manager Erik ten Hag has to accept blame for his selection and was jeered when he substituted Hojlund

MANCHESTER CITY (3-2-4-1)

EDERSON – 7.5: Major save from McTominay at 1-0. Smart goalkeeping to unsettle Hojlund when the striker galloped clear too.

KYLE WALKER – 7.5: Only Rodri enjoyed more of the ball. Comfortably dealt with Rashford and built up from the back without fuss.

RUBEN DIAS – 7.5: Nothing stuck up front with Hojlund and Dias’ fortitude and positioning was a massive factor in that.

JOSKO GVARDIOL – 7: Started nervously in possession. Defensively strong, particularly in one-on-ones as United broke at pace.

JOHN STONES – 7.5: City are so much better with him. Teams still don’t know what to do with him. Rarely wasted a pass.

John Stones (left) shone for Manchester City once again and his return from injury has been a welcome boost

RODRI – 7.5: Winner of a soft penalty, City’s first at Old Trafford for 31 years. The game appeared so easy for him yet again.

PHIL FODEN – 8: Not everything came off but constantly progressed City. One loose pass prompted danger; ultimately deserved his goal.

JULIAN ALVAREZ – 7.5: Perfect in that area behind Haaland. A few eye-catching through balls with a goalscoring threat too.

BERNARDO SILVA – 9: Imperious display full of class. His early positioning, hanging left from a central berth, was impossible track.

JACK GREALISH – 8: Involved in everything good about City on his 100th appearance. Cute little balls often outwitted Dalot.

ERLING HAALAND – 8.5: So unselfish in assisting Foden. Another two goals and more missed chances in this intriguing second season.

Bernardo Silva showed once again how important he is to City with his control and positioning

Haaland, meanwhile, added to his tally again but did miss some big chances – one of note in the first half

Subs

Mateo Kovacic (for Alvarez, 87)

Jeremy Doku (for Grealish, 87)

Manager: Pep Guardiola – 8: The decision to pick Grealish ahead of Jeremy Doku was quickly vindicated. The champions were well drilled and dominant.

Referee: Paul Tierney – 6: Once asked to go to the monitor, Tierney was always giving the penalty. Kept a lid on the derby in a mostly authoritative display.

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