In a scintillating showdown at Old Trafford, Manchester City delivered a masterful performance to secure a resounding 3-0 victory over arch-rivals Manchester United. Erling Haaland, the Norwegian sensation, was the star of the show, propelling the Blues to a commanding win with two goals and an assist.
The match kicked off with an emotional tribute to football legend Sir Bobby Charlton, a moment of unity for both teams. Initially, City appeared a bit disjointed, but they swiftly found their rhythm and nearly broke the deadlock in the early minutes. A lofted pass from Rodrigo found Kyle Walker, whose header met Phil Foden, but the United goalkeeper, Andre Onana, managed to thwart the danger. Follow your favourite Premier League team with attractive football betting odds from Nextbet.
United’s strategy focused on counter-attacks, and they posed a threat with their quick breaks, leaving City’s defense outnumbered on several occasions. Jack Grealish tried his luck with a curling shot on the 20th minute, but Onana made a crucial save.
City continued to press, and their persistence paid off as a VAR check confirmed a penalty after Rodrigo was fouled in the box. Haaland stepped up and calmly dispatched the spot-kick, breaking a long-standing penalty drought at Old Trafford for City.
The first half saw City dominating possession and Rodrigo orchestrating play from midfield. However, a brilliant chance for United to level the score emerged just before half-time as Scott McTominay unleashed a fierce shot that Ederson expertly diverted wide.
City had opportunities to extend their lead, but Haaland’s header was saved by Onana, leaving the Blues with a 1-0 lead at the interval.
Manchester United came out with renewed vigor in the second half, with Bruno Fernandes testing Ederson with a powerful shot. However, City exploited a small window of opportunity to double their lead. Julian Alvarez’s pass found Grealish on the left, who delivered a precise cross for Haaland to head home, making it 2-0.
City’s dominance continued, and Grealish nearly extended the lead, but Onana denied him. The game briefly hung in the balance when Marcus Rashford missed a golden chance for United, but City’s superiority soon shone through. On 80 minutes, Haaland unselfishly set up Phil Foden, who calmly slotted the ball into the net to make it 3-0.
As the match neared its end, United players grew frustrated, accumulating several late bookings. City’s performance was nothing short of a statement, as they put on a vibrant and dominant display, leaving no doubt about their superiority on the rainy Manchester evening. Get the latest updates from the Premier League only on Nextbet Sports.
