XtraTime Web Desk: Mancheter City registered a comprehensive 3-1 win over Manchester United in the Manchester Derby on Sunday in a Premier League game. After beating Juventus in an away game in UEFA Champions League a few days back everyone thought that it would be an intense battle between two top sides but City always had the upper hand on United throughout the game. Here 5 reasons why City conquered Manchester United:
#Absence of Pogba
Paul Pogba took a pivotal role in Manchester United’s win against Juventus last week in the Champions League. Beside that he was the star for United as well last season when they visited Etihad Stadium to face Manchester City. United won that game 3-2 after they were 0-2 down and Pogba scored twice that day for United, but this time he was not even on the bench as he was injured during their game against Juventus and there was no one in the squad who could fill the void of Pogba.
# High pressing from Man City
City’s forwards were always playing high pressing football and they kept the pressure on United’s defence. It was the reason that the defence line of Young, Smalling, Lindelof and Shaw were seen under immense pressure City broke them thrice in the game.
#Thunder-bolt from Aguero
Just after the start of the second half, Manchester City’s star Argentine forward Sergio Aguero hit a bullet shot to make the score 2-0. The power in the shot was so much that Man United goalkeeper David De Gea had no clue about the ball who has been regarded as World’s best goalkeeper. And that goal almost took United out of the game.
#Dearth of a centre forward in Man Utd
Belgium goal machine Romelu Lukaku was not a part of the game in the first half as he is still recovering from his injury. Though Mourinho brought him in the second half but it was not enough. Anthony Martial is in the form of his life but despite of that United missed a prolific goal getter as Lukaku is still recovering.
#Pace and creativity of City midfield and attacking force
Pep Guardiola’s side was better than Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United in every way during the game. The pace and creativity of City’s midfield was outstanding and their attacking force comprising with Sergio Aguero and Rahim Starling were far more effective than United’s attacking line.