12 things we learned as Manchester United humbled City in the derby

13 April 2015 09:20

It was a day to forget for Manchester City as United put their recent poor derby form behind them by dishing out a chastening 4-2 defeat to their rivals.

Sergio Aguero scored twice for the Premier League champions, but in between goals from Ashley Young, Marouane Fellaini, Juan Mata and Chris Smalling gave United fans that smug feeling that only a derby victory can provide.

Here’s what we learned along the way…

1. Jesus Navas is not the one

In the eighth minute Jesus Navas raced through on goal but hit his shot straight at David de Gea. Nobody was terribly surprised.

2. Mario Balotelli still loves Manchester City

Sergio Aguero celebrates scoring for Manchester City
(Martin Rickett/PA)

City took the lead soon after when Sergio Aguero turned in a low cross from David Silva. One man who was very pleased was former City striker Balotelli.

See, he still loves City. Or maybe, as a Liverpool player, he just hates Manchester United. Either way, he might refelct that he should have just kept quiet.

3. Ashley Young found some luck from somewhere

Young levelled for United but had a big slice of luck, effectively providing the assist for himself as the ball ricocheted into his path for an easy tap-in.

He later provided the assists for real for Untied’s second and fourth, leading to these stats that seem to paint a contrasting picture.

4. David Moyes was hard done by (or not)

Manchester United's Marouane Fellaini celebrates scoring against Manchester City
(Jon Super/AP)

Marouane Fellaini headed home Young’s cross after 27 minutes to put United in the lead. The Belgium international is in form you might describe as rampant, which just goes to show David Moyes was right all along.

Or maybe it goes to show he was wrong all along and it’s all down to Louis van Gaal.

It depends how you look at it.

5. Defending isn’t what it used to be

Three goals in the first half and poor defending contributed to all of them – with Phil Jones and Gael Clichy the main offenders.

Two of the best teams in the country and barely a competent defender between them. No wonder England’s back four looks so shaky.

6. Referees aren’t intimidated at Old Trafford any more

Towards the end of the first half, Vincent Kompany slid into Daley Blind with his studs in the air. Mark Clattenburg thought about it long and hard, consulted his assistant and – with the home fans screaming out for red – produced a yellow card. Maybe it should have been a red, maybe it shouldn’t – but you can’t help feeling that a couple of seasons ago the ref would have given it either way.

7. Sometimes, stats don’t lie

With City trailing at half-time, there was another opportunity to bring out this statistic, which did the rounds after their loss at Crystal Palace last week.

In the second period, they never looked like bringing an end to that particular run.

8. Everyone loves a goalmouth scramble

At the start of the second half United almost made it 3-1 with an almost scramble in the City box. For many people, it was the highlight of the afternoon.

9. Juan Mata knows what he’s doing

Manchester United's Juan Mata celebrates scoring against Manchester City
(Martin Rickett/PA)

United’s third did eventually come, with Mata sliding the ball through the legs of the on-rushing Joe Hart after a neat pass from Wayne Rooney. It was smart stuff from Mata, as Gary Lineker – a man who knows a thing or two about finishing – pointed out.

10. Chris Smalling is a goalscoring superstar

Chris Smalling celebrates scoring for Manchester United against Manchester City
(Martin Rickett/PA)

City’s misery kept coming as Smalling rose to nod in Young’s free-kick for number four. That’s United’s fourth of the day, and Smalling’s fourth of the season. Can you think of any United strikers past or present who’ve scored four goals this season?

11. Sometimes centuries aren’t worth celebrating

Sergio Aguero scores for Manchester City against Manchester United
(Barrington Coombs/EMPICS)

Aguero’s second of the day came with a couple of minutes left to play, and it was his 100th for City. It made the score 4-2 and prompted zero celebration.

By this point United were down to 10 men, with Michael Carrick off the pitch injured, but – as Gary Neville pointed out on commentary – City showed no desire to rush the ball back to the centre spot and try to force an unlikely draw.

12. We wouldn’t want to be Manuel Pellegrini right now

Source: SNAPPA