Having limped to an unconvincing victory against Copenhagen in midweek, Manchester United would hope for an improved performance against their cross-city rivals on Sunday. Legends of both clubs took to the pitch ahead of kickoff, as the footballing world continues to pay tribute to the late Sir Bobby Charlton.
MUN: Onana; Lindelöf, Evans, Maguire, Dalot; Amrabat, Eriksen; Rashford, McTominay, Fernandes; Højlund
MCI: Ederson; Gvardiol, Stones, Dias, Walker; Silva, Rodri; Grealish, Álvarez, Foden; Haaland
There was always bound to be a gulf in class between these two sides – Manchester City lifted a historic treble last term, with the Red Devils forced to settle for another trophyless season.
But still, the manner in which Manchester United succumbed to an embarrassing defeat will leave a sour taste in the mouths of fans across the globe. With the Citizens benefitting from a controversial penalty shout when Rasmus Højlund hauled Rodri to the ground, it was none other than Erling Haaland that opened the goalscoring rout at Old Trafford.
Embed from Getty ImagesBoth goalkeepers were offered opportunities to prove their worth just before the break, with Ederson forced into a fine fingertip save to deny Scott McTominay as André Onana was called upon to deny Haaland his second of the afternoon.
Yet the Norwegian is an inevitable presence, and completed his brace just four minutes after the break as he latched onto Bernardo Silva’s pinpoint cross.
His role as the goalscorer switched to becoming the provider with ten minutes remaining, as he teed up Phil Foden to add the third and final goal of a comprehensive thrashing – with United players visibly losing their heads as time wore on.
The Theatre of Dreams resembled something more like the Theatre of Nightmares for Manchester United on Sunday, as they now sit eighth in the league with just fifteen points from their opening ten matches. Manchester City move level on points – and goal difference – with Arsenal, but remain two points behind Tottenham Hotspur.