BPL Post-Match Report: Manchester United vs Manchester City

-Johan

In the last two seasons, we have witnessed one of the world’s most anticipated derbies fizzle into nothing more than just another premier league game. None of the last 12 derbies before Sunday ever ended in a draw and the last 10 derbies averaged 4.1 goals per game. Where are the days of heated verbal exchange before match day, the tension in the passage as the players are waiting to run onto the field, the tackles, the intensity, the passion the absolute drama of Manchester?

Sunday saw the giants both disappoint for different reasons. United dominated possession and territory, something we have come accustomed too but failed to create a single key goal scoring opportunity until the 87^th minute when Lingard’s flick hit the cross bar. City on the other hand looked satisfied with a point from the moment they got off the bus, and none of the players delivered anything close to their potential.

United dominated possession from kick off but it was City who had the first real opportunity to score when Toure cleverly slipped the ball to Sterling on the left, who tried to cut inside but Jones won the ball and played it out. On the 17^th and 19^th minute, United was awarded two attacking free kicks with both opportunities failing to challenge Hart.

Martial, who looked most likely to create or score a goal, when he made an excellent run in the 25^th minute, beat two defenders and manage to get the ball away to Mata who tried to play it back but failed to beat Kompany. 

Jones and Smalling were near perfect in defense for United allowing Rojo and Valencia the freedom to storm up the wings, while Kompany and Otamendi spoiled every opportunity for United to even create a chance.

The second half started the way the first ended, with spectators probably feeling they could return to the vendors for a second helping. Pellegrini made the change taking Sterling off and replacing him with Navas. The tennis match continued with Schweinsteiger and Schneiderlin dictating play from the midfield. The pair delivered a competent display and City struggled to break free.

There was a glimmer of hope that the game might see a goal in 62^nd minute when an overhead ball was played to Mata, but Hart came off his line and cleared. Mata left the field 5 minutes later being replaced by Lingard. Louis van Gaal obviously realized that he needed more pace if United was to have any chance of winning. Lingard did have an opportunity in the 87^th minute but flick hit the post and the game faded to away as the final whistle approached. 

City left Old Trafford with a point in the bag and still on top of the league table while United slumped to 4^th.

KEY TALKING POINTS

The lineup on paper for United screamed goals – Herrera, Mata, Martial, Rooney – how can a team that enjoy 60% possession, with 82% pass completion and the above mentioned players on the field only have 6 shots at goal, with only 1 being on target? 

Martial and Valencia were arguably the two most influential players for United. Martial was successful in 7/13 take-ons and made three crosses which found no one, not because there was anything wrong with them, but because no-one got into position to get on the end of it. Valencia completed 45/47(96%) passes, was successful in 2/3 take-ons and had 3 ball recoveries. His attacking nature makes him a very useful wing back and United will sweat a little with Valencia leaving the pitch shortly before the game ended with an expected hamstring injury.

With Martial’s pace and physicality and attacking nature, Van Gaal surely should realize that he must lead the line for United. Rooney simply cannot be the target man anymore. Yes, he contributes in the locker room and yes, he has a commanding presence on the field and his work rate is incredible, but all of that comes to nothing if the team fails to score goals. The problem for Van Gaal is what does he do with Rooney. United need pace down the wings, and when Young returns from injury, and Depay realizes he is no legend yet, the left side will be occupied by them. Lingard provides pace and creativity on the right behind Mata who, to be fair, has had a very good season so far and his starting position is probably secure at the moment. Herrera has provided some wonderful displays at 10 and every performance so far eclipsed that of Rooney when he played 10. 

OVERALL

United proved again that despite no longer letting silly goals in and managing to control the pace while hogging the ball, they simply cannot score to save their lives. The persistence of Van Gaal that Rooney should be United’s “go-to” player is  the biggest problem. Putting Herrera at 10 provided instant results but at the same time Martial was removed to make way for Rooney upfront. 

Personally, I think Rooney is a fantastic player, and he is a legend already but there comes a time when you need to step aside and let the new talent have the opportunity to flourish. For some players that time comes at 34 or 35 years of age, for Rooney it has come at the age of 30.