Here are the City player ratings from Manchester City’s 3-1 win over Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium. The 192nd Manchester derby was won by the world champions despite an early hiccup to begin proceedings. City’s derby win sets the scene for next weekend’s Premier League clash with league leaders Liverpool at Anfield but the win didn’t come easily at the Etihad Stadium.
The 192nd Manchester derby kicked off with Pep Guardiola’s side in control of the early stages. It was against the run of play when a Marcus Rashford rocket fired Manchester United into an 8th-minute lead.
However, the pattern of the game was established in the early stages. City would dominate possession with Erik ten Hag’s side sitting back and looking to hit the hosts on the counter. Pep Guardiola’s team should have gone in at the interval at 1-all but Erling Haaland produced one of the misses of the season on the stroke of halftime to see United take a 1-nil lead into the interval.
The second half began following a similar pattern to the first half. Manchester City dominated possession with the visitors sitting deep to preserve their 1-nil lead. United’s stubborn rearguard lasted until the 56th minute when a Phil Foden rocket beat Andre Onana to equalise for City.
Top bins! 🗑️@PhilFoden ✨ pic.twitter.com/1jtRexboiB
— Manchester City (@ManCity) March 3, 2024
Following Foden’s equaliser it did appear a matter of time before Manchester City would take the lead. But it wouldn’t be until the 80th minute when Phil Foden would give his team a deserved lead. After being played in by substitute Julian Alvarez City’s wonderboy fired his team into the lead with a well-placed finish.
There was time for Erling Haaland to get himself on the scoresheet in the 91st minute. Some clever pressing for the hosts saw Rodri seize possession and play in Haaland for City’s number 9 to make it 3-1 and seal all three points for his team.
City player ratings
Ederson-6/10: Could do nothing about Rashford’s rocket and besides that had very little to do. Was barely involved in City’s possession play given how far up the pitch City sat for the majority of the game.
Kyle Walker-6.5/10: Could have tracked back harder to possibly prevent Rashford’s wonder strike. Did his job when required at the back and was calm in possession.
Ruben Dias-6.5/10: Not his best display but also not his worst. Did his job when required and did help City dominate possession.
John Stones-7.5/10: Another top-class display from Stones. He was all over the pitch in an all-action performance.
Nathan Ake-6.5/10: Played Bruno Fernandes onside for United’s opener. Was tidy and composed after that in a typical Ake display.
Rodri-8.5/10: If not for Phil Foden’s performance he would’ve been City’s man-of-the-match. Dominated midfield and was rewarded with an assist late on.
Bernardo Silva-7.5/10: A busy display from Bernardo. Was a constant threat to United and never stopped working for his team.
Kevin De Bruyne-7/10: Was wasteful at times with his finishing but put in a determined display.
Phil Foden-10/10: An absolute masterclass from Foden. He said pre-game that he isn’t yet a world-class player yet but his performance showed otherwise. Scored two and stepped up when his team needed him the most.
Jeremy Doku-5/10: He tried hard but not his day before being substituted in the 59th minute. Appears just off his best form at the moment.
Erling Haaland -6.5/10: He put the game to bed in the 91st minute with a cool finish. Also had one of the misses of the season in the first half. A mixed bag in front of goal from Haaland.
Substitutes
Julian Alvarez-7.5/10: Gave his team a lift when he came on for Jeremy Doku. Provided an assist for Phil Foden to give City the lead and looked full of energy when he came on.
Oscar Bobb-N/A: Not on long enough to mark
