Placing in what was a sensational efficiency on the Etihad on Sunday afternoon, Manchester Metropolis stormed their option to native bragging rights as they claimed a 3-0 romp towards bitter native foes Manchester United.
Dominating from the opening whistle, it was England worldwide Phil Foden who opened the scoring within the 18th-minute as Metropolis’s academy graduate headed residence from Jeremy Doku’s cross.
In search of an instantaneous response after heading into September’s Worldwide break with back-to-back Premier League defeats, it was then Metropolis’s attacking talisman who stole centre stage.
Bagging a second-half brace within the area of simply quarter-hour and sending the Etihad crowd into overdrive, Erling Haaland induced United a string of complications and took his tally to 5 objectives in his first 4 Premier League appearances.
Whereas Man Metropolis’s rampant efficiency may steal loads of the post-match headlines, it was one other afternoon to overlook for a Manchester United squad who discover themselves on the coronary heart of a public nightmare.
Blown away by their historic native rivals and mustering only a single win throughout any competitors thus far this season, the stress on Ruben Amorim’s shoulders stays at a boiling level.
Though Bryan Mbeumo may need pressured a surprising second-half cease from Metropolis debutant Gianluigi Donnarumma, the Crimson Devils as soon as once more drastically did not impress on any entrance.
On a day when the Sky Blues produced a dominant show on residence soil, we now have taken a have a look at the principle speaking factors.
A dream afternoon for Guardiola
Heading into September’s fortnight interval with consecutive Premier League defeats for the primary time thus far this calendar 12 months, it was no secret that Guardiola was demanding a vital response right here.
Displaying no indicators of a hangover and utterly working rampant on residence soil, Metropolis have now set a benchmark for what they’re able to going ahead.
With their attacking talisman firing on all cylinders and Foden displaying glimpses of his tantalising finest, Metropolis will likely be subsequent seen on Thursday night time once they open their Champions League journey at residence towards Napoli.
Whereas many may really feel that it was harsh of the previous Barcelona boss to drop English shot-stopper James Trafford this weekend, Donnarumma demonstrated why he’s broadly thought to be the world’s finest goalkeeper.
Though the inclusion of each Abdukodir Khusanov and Nico O’Reilly may need raised some eyebrows forward of Sunday’s derby showdown, Guardiola acquired the whole lot proper and couldn’t have requested for a greater efficiency right here.
Haaland is again to his inevitable finest
Whereas Manchester Metropolis may need entered September’s worldwide break with consecutive top-flight defeats, their record-breaking quantity 9 has loved a sensational begin to proceedings.
If Guardiola’s squad are to upset the percentages and recapture their Premier League crown this season, then there isn’t any doubt that Haaland may have greater than a number one function to play on the Etihad.
Producing a deadly efficiency on Sunday afternoon and bagging a medical brace within the area of simply quarter-hour, the Norwegian famous person has solely launched into a outstanding flurry since opening up the brand new marketing campaign.
Together with 5 objectives throughout Norway’s gorgeous 11-1 World Cup qualifying win towards Moldova final week, Haaland has already recorded 11 objectives for membership and nation thus far this season.
Flying out of the traps and seeking to reclaim his Premier League Golden Boot this season, it feels that Metropolis’s record-breaking striker is again to his inevitable finest.
Stress on Amorim stays at a boiling level
Whereas Manchester United may need entered September’s worldwide break with a last-gasp 3-2 victory at residence towards Premier League returners Burnley, that transient enhance doesn’t cowl what has been one other public Outdated Trafford nightmare.
Utterly blown away right here and giving up native bragging rights with a whimper, the stress on Amorim’s shoulders stays at a boiling level.
Coming beneath an enormous quantity of scrutiny on August twenty seventh as they got here crashing out of the EFL Cup by the hands of League Two outfit Grimsby, Sunday’s travelling help as soon as once more made their frustrations clear.
Getting the 2025/26 marketing campaign underway with a 1-0 defeat towards historic rivals Arsenal on August seventeenth, the Crimson Devils have recorded only a single victor from any of their first 5 appearances throughout all competitions.
Displaying a string of obtrusive defensive points, issues don’t get any simpler for United as they’ll welcome Chelsea to Outdated Trafford subsequent day trip.
Match Report:
Manchester Metropolis: Donnarumma, Khusanov, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly, Rodri, Reijnders, Silva, Foden, Doku, Haaland
Subs: Ake, Bobb, Savinho, Nico Gonzalez
Manchester United: Bayindir, Yoro, de Ligt, Shaw, Dorgu, Mazraoui, Ugarte, Fernandes, Mbeumo, Diallo, Sesko
Subs: Mainoo, Zirkzee, Maguire
Objectives: Foden (18’), Haaland (53’, 68’)
Yellow Playing cards: N/A
Crimson Playing cards: N/A
Referee: Anthony Taylor
