Player Ratings: Erling Haaland scores winner as Man City stun Man United | OneFootball

Manchester United vs Manchester City Player Ratings as Haaland Settles Derby

Manchester City left Old Trafford with three points after Erling Haaland secured a dramatic 1-0 victory over Manchester United in a derby dominated by controversy.

City played more than 70 minutes with 10 men following Phil Foden’s first-half dismissal, yet United failed to make their numerical advantage count. Haaland eventually punished them on the hour, scoring his sixth goal in four matches to preserve City’s perfect Premier League start under Enzo Maresca.

For Manchester United, it was another afternoon when opportunity knocked and nobody quite answered.

Foden Red Card Changes Manchester Derby

The defining moment of the first half arrived after 23 minutes when Foden kicked out at Bruno Fernandes and received a straight red card.

It presented Manchester United with exactly the sort of opportunity they needed. City were forced deeper, spaces began to appear and the home side enjoyed greater control of possession.

United struck the post before the interval and did so again after half-time. Ruben Amorim’s side were finding promising positions, particularly through Marcus Rashford, but their final decision repeatedly lacked precision.

There was plenty of possession and pressure. There was not enough quality.

City understood that survival required patience. Marc Guehi produced an outstanding defensive performance alongside Ruben Dias, while Gianluigi Donnarumma provided authority behind them.

Haaland Punishes Manchester United

City’s winner arrived in the 60th minute and exposed the danger of becoming too comfortable with numerical superiority.

United committed players forward, City escaped on the counter and Josko Gvardiol drove a low, deflected delivery across the penalty area. Haaland appeared at the back post to finish from close range.

The flag initially went up for offside.

A lengthy VAR review followed before the goal was eventually awarded. Haaland was ruled onside, while Enzo Fernandez, who stretched towards the ball from an offside position, was judged not to have interfered with play.

United could feel aggrieved by the circumstances, although the larger issue was their inability to exploit more than an hour against 10 men.

Photo: IMAGO

City Show Championship Qualities at Old Trafford

Once ahead, Manchester City managed the situation impressively.

Elliot Anderson provided energy and discipline in midfield, Antoine Semenyo offered an outlet and Haaland occupied United’s defenders whenever City needed to escape pressure.

Guehi was particularly impressive. His reading of danger repeatedly prevented United from turning promising attacks into clear opportunities.

United continued pushing, but there was little composure around City’s penalty area. Bryan Mbeumo struggled to influence proceedings, Patrick Dorgu endured a difficult afternoon and Fernandes could not provide the decisive moment his side desperately needed.

City eventually saw out the closing stages and celebrated a victory that may prove significant far beyond local bragging rights.

Maresca’s side remain perfect in the Premier League and move level with Arsenal at the top of the table. Manchester United have now dropped points in three of their opening four league matches and remain 13th.

Manchester United and Manchester City Player Ratings

Manchester United

Senne Lammens 6 Diogo Dalot 4 Harry Maguire 6 Lisandro Martinez 6 Patrick Dorgu 3 Youri Tielemans 6 Kobbie Mainoo 6 Bruno Fernandes 5 Bryan Mbeumo 4 Marcus Rashford 6 Matheus Cunha 5

Manchester City

Gianluigi Donnarumma 8 Matheus Nunes 7 Marc Guehi 9 Ruben Dias 7 Josko Gvardiol 7 Elliot Anderson 8 Enzo Fernandez 7 Rayan Cherki 5 Phil Foden 2 Antoine Semenyo 7 Erling Haaland 8