Straight
While waiting for the shareholder movements that keep them in an uncomfortable state of limbo to reach their peak and see which way, Manchester United’s present falls far short of the history they revere and will follow this Sunday at Old Trafford paid tribute to Sir Bobby Charlton with an emotional tribute, a prelude to a derby won by City, who not long ago were of a higher standard than today, but had enough to dominate their eternal rivals. Of the last nine derbies, the Light Blues have won six, drawn one and lost two. City are now the kings of Manchester and their fans are cheering on their team under the Olés at Old Trafford.
0
Andre Onana, Diogo Dalot, Evans, Harry Maguire, Nilsson-Lindelöf (Reguilón, min. 73), Eriksen (Antony, min. 86), Bruno Fernandes, Sofyan Amrabat (Mason Mount, min. 45), Rashford (Anthony Martial, Min. 86), McTominay and Rasmus Winther Hojlund (Alejandro Garnacho, Min. 73)
3
Ederson Moraes, Walker, Gvardiol, John Stones, Rúben Dias, Rodrigo, Julián Álvarez (Kovacic, Min. 86), Grealish (Jeremy Doku, Min. 87), Bernardo Silva, Foden and Erling Braut Haaland
Goals 0-1 min. 26: Erling Braut Haaland. 0-2 min. 49: Erling Braut Haaland. 0-3 min 79: Foden.
referee Paul Tierney
Yellow cards Andre Onana (min. 25), Foden (min. 42), Antony (min. 92) and Bruno Fernandes (min. 93)
This latest victory was more work than genius, with a VAR-blamed gap in the scoreboard informing the referee of a connection between Hojlund and Rodri in the local area, one of those actions that are classed as common in the area that now precedes to be laid bare to the all-seeing eye. Of course, it seems that sometimes the eye looks elsewhere and this results in regret, sorrow and misunderstanding. The fact is that the action between Paul Tierney and Michael Oliver, who are supposedly the two best referees in the Premier, was ruled a penalty. And Haaland did the rest with two goals and an assist for Foden to celebrate.
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City are in a five-way battle for the lead. Tottenham, Arsenal, Liverpool, Aston Villa and the Guardiola-coached team are limited to four points at the top of the table led by the surprise Spurs. Manchester United are 11 points, flat, determined on the day by a lineup in which the center-back duo consisted of the heavily criticized and limited Maguire and Jonny Evans, a former youth player who served as a pawn in the final of Sir Years Alex Ferguson in the team and that after a trip to West Bromwich and Leicester last July he returned on a short-term contract to maintain the tone during the team’s summer tour. The 35-year-old man fought with Haaland.
In reality, United gave it their all. He has nothing left, but he is proud. And he stayed in the game for quite a while, even if he started to shrink from the start. The unorthodox goalkeeper Onana helped him with some impressive saves (one of which was great from a Haaland header). But you can’t stop the ocean with the palm of your hand. The Norwegian didn’t miss a beat in an action seen shortly after half-time and everything was going for Guardiola’s boys, who controlled the clock and the ball against a knocked-out rival.
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Sunday had another focus at Anfield, where Liverpool beat Nottingham (3-0), a game that the Colombian Luis Díaz missed because his parents were kidnapped in his country a few hours earlier. His mother has already been rescued, but the whereabouts of his other parent are unknown. “It is a very difficult situation. How can you make a football game important on a day like this?” asked coach Jürgen Klopp after the game.
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