Manchester United 0-3 Manchester City: Erling Haaland and Phil Foden secure derby victory

December 2023 · 5 minute read

Manchester City cruised past Manchester United with embarrassing ease in the derby at Old Trafford to emphasise the vast gulf between the two sides.

Erling Haaland was the main tormentor with goals in each half before setting up a third for Phil Foden as Pep Guardiola's side established superiority from the kick-off and rarely looked like relinquishing control.

There were poignant scenes before the start as supporters from both sides of Manchester's footballing divide joined to pay tribute to the late Sir Bobby Charlton.

For manager Erik ten Hag and his players, the match that followed was one to forget.

Haaland put City ahead from the penalty spot after 26 minutes when Rasmus Hojlund was penalised for dragging down Rodri following the intervention of the video assistant referee.

United keeper Andre Onana produced a brilliant save to deny Haaland a second from a far-post header on the stroke of half-time but the striker did not have to wait long to double City's lead from an almost identical situation four minutes after the break, Bernardo Silva delivering a perfect cross.

City keeper Ederson also excelled to save from Scott McTominay before half-time but City wrapped up this most convincing victory when Haaland set up the easiest of chances for Foden 10 minutes from time.

Man City hit their stride

Manchester City have looked short of their best on occasions this season, even when spending so much time at the top of the Premier League, but the reigning champions gave an ominous display here to outclass their arch-rivals.

Haaland's hunger for goals is insatiable, with United keeper Onana doing well to deny him twice, while the manner in which they exposed the home side's flaws was brutal.

In contrast to United's shapeless efforts, City were measured, controlled and passed the ball around with the confidence of a team that knew they were up against opponents nowhere near their level.

Foden's goal gave the scoreline a far more realistic appearance as City exerted a stranglehold throughout. Further goals would not have flattered them, with the left-flank work of Jack Grealish and Bernardo Silva particularly fruitful.

The return from John Stones after injury only adds to their quality - as was proved with a performance that outlined the task facing anyone wanting to wrest the title away from them.

Man Utd outclassed

The sight of thousands of empty seats all around Old Trafford in the closing stages of this derby told the tale of a truly miserable and chastening day for Manchester United.

In the moments after the tribute to Charlton, the stadium was a cauldron of sounds as United fans urged their side forward - but the difference in class was swiftly clear.

United had their chances, particularly when Ederson saved from McTominay and when the struggling Marcus Rashford sent a great chance wide, but Ten Hag's side were short on ideas, creation and urgency, and were outmanoeuvred by this outstanding City team.

Hojlund may have conceded a penalty but the youngster's endeavour was admirable and Old Trafford made its feelings known with loud jeers when he was substituted late on.

United looked to have made steps forward last season, when they beat City in the Premier League at Old Trafford, but this was a worrying sight for Ten Hag, whose team looked like they were heading backwards.

Player of the match

HaalandErling Haaland

with an average of 7.56

Manchester United

  • Squad number5Player nameMaguireAverage rating

    5.21

  • Squad number24Player nameOnanaAverage rating

    5.02

  • Squad number39Player nameMcTominayAverage rating

    4.99

  • Squad number11Player nameHøjlundAverage rating

    4.66

  • Squad number35Player nameEvansAverage rating

    4.54

  • Squad number14Player nameEriksenAverage rating

    4.44

  • Squad number20Player nameDiogo DalotAverage rating

    4.33

  • Squad number2Player nameLindelöfAverage rating

    4.15

  • Squad number4Player nameS AmrabatAverage rating

    4.10

  • Squad number10Player nameRashfordAverage rating

    4.05

  • Squad number8Player nameBruno FernandesAverage rating

    3.78

  • Squad number17Player nameGarnachoAverage rating

    3.06

  • Squad number7Player nameMountAverage rating

    3.05

  • Squad number15Player nameReguilónAverage rating

    2.90

  • Squad number9Player nameMartialAverage rating

    2.50

  • Squad number21Player nameAntonyAverage rating

    2.08

    • Manchester City

  • Squad number9Player nameHaalandAverage rating

    7.56

  • Squad number20Player nameBernardo SilvaAverage rating

    7.41

  • Squad number47Player nameFodenAverage rating

    7.40

  • Squad number11Player nameDokuAverage rating

    7.18

  • Squad number10Player nameGrealishAverage rating

    7.10

  • Squad number5Player nameStonesAverage rating

    7.05

  • Squad number16Player nameRodriAverage rating

    7.02

  • Squad number19Player nameÁlvarezAverage rating

    7.00

  • Squad number2Player nameWalkerAverage rating

    6.98

  • Squad number8Player nameKovacicAverage rating

    6.91

  • Squad number3Player nameRúben DiasAverage rating

    6.82

  • Squad number31Player nameEdersonAverage rating

    6.82

  • Squad number24Player nameGvardiolAverage rating

    6.62

    • Line-ups

    Man Utd

    Formation 4-2-3-1

    24Onana

    20Dalot5Maguire35Evans2Lindelöf

    14Eriksen4S Amrabat

    8Bruno Fernandes39McTominay10Rashford

    11Højlund

    Substitutes

    Man City

    Formation 4-2-3-1

    31Ederson

    2Walker3Rúben Dias5Stones24Gvardiol

    16Rodri20Bernardo Silva

    47Foden19Álvarez10Grealish

    9Haaland

    Substitutes

    Referee:Paul Tierney

    Attendance:73,502

    Match Stats

    Live Text

  • Match ends, Manchester United 0, Manchester City 3.

  • Second Half ends, Manchester United 0, Manchester City 3.

  • Attempt blocked. Erling Haaland (Manchester City) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

  • Rodri (Manchester City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  • Foul by Jonny Evans (Manchester United).

  • Attempt blocked. Mateo Kovacic (Manchester City) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

  • Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United) is shown the yellow card.

  • Corner, Manchester City. Conceded by Mason Mount.

  • Antony (Manchester United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

  • Jérémy Doku (Manchester City) wins a free kick on the left wing.

  • Foul by Antony (Manchester United).

  • Offside, Manchester United. Sergio Reguilón tries a through ball, but Scott McTominay is caught offside.

  • Corner, Manchester United. Conceded by Kyle Walker.

  • Substitution, Manchester City. Jérémy Doku replaces Jack Grealish.

  • Substitution, Manchester City. Mateo Kovacic replaces Julián Álvarez.

  • Substitution, Manchester United. Anthony Martial replaces Marcus Rashford.

  • Substitution, Manchester United. Antony replaces Christian Eriksen.

  • Attempt blocked. Christian Eriksen (Manchester United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Bruno Fernandes with a cross.

  • Corner, Manchester United. Conceded by Bernardo Silva.

  • Delay over. They are ready to continue.

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