Putting in what was a sensational performance at the Etihad on Sunday afternoon, Manchester City stormed their way to local bragging rights as they claimed a 3-0 romp against bitter local foes Manchester United.
Dominating from the opening whistle, it was England international Phil Foden who opened the scoring in the 18th-minute as City’s academy graduate headed home from Jeremy Doku’s cross.
Seeking an immediate response after heading into September’s International break with back-to-back Premier League defeats, it was then City’s attacking talisman who stole centre stage.
Bagging a second-half brace in the space of just 15 minutes and sending the Etihad crowd into overdrive, Erling Haaland caused United a string of headaches and took his tally to five goals in his first four Premier League appearances.
While Man City’s rampant performance might steal plenty of the post-match headlines, it was another afternoon to forget for a Manchester United squad who find themselves at the heart of a public nightmare.
Blown away by their historic local rivals and mustering just a single win across any competition so far this season, the pressure on Ruben Amorim’s shoulders remains at a boiling point.
Although Bryan Mbeumo might have forced a stunning second-half stop from City debutant Gianluigi Donnarumma, the Red Devils once again drastically failed to impress on any front.
On an afternoon when the Sky Blues produced a dominant display on home soil, we have taken a look at the main talking points.
A dream afternoon for Guardiola
Heading into September’s fortnight interval with consecutive Premier League defeats for the first time so far this calendar year, it was no secret that Guardiola was demanding a crucial response here.
Showing no signs of a hangover and completely running rampant on home soil, City have now set a benchmark for what they are capable of going forward.
With their attacking talisman firing on all cylinders and Foden showing glimpses of his tantalising best, City will be next seen on Thursday night when they open their Champions League adventure at home against Napoli.
While many might feel that it was harsh of the former Barcelona boss to drop English shot-stopper James Trafford this weekend, Donnarumma demonstrated why he is widely regarded as the world’s best goalkeeper.
Although the inclusion of both Abdukodir Khusanov and Nico O’Reilly might have raised some eyebrows ahead of Sunday’s derby showdown, Guardiola got everything right and couldn’t have asked for a better performance here.
Haaland is back to his inevitable best
While Manchester City might have entered September’s international break with consecutive top-flight defeats, their record-breaking number nine has enjoyed a sensational start to proceedings.
If Guardiola’s squad are to upset the odds and recapture their Premier League crown this season, then there is no doubt that Haaland will have more than a leading role to play at the Etihad.
Producing a lethal performance on Sunday afternoon and bagging a clinical brace in the space of just 15 minutes, the Norwegian superstar has only embarked on a remarkable flurry since opening up the new campaign.
Including five goals during Norway’s stunning 11-1 World Cup qualifying win against Moldova last week, Haaland has already recorded 11 goals for club and country so far this season.
Flying out of the traps and looking to reclaim his Premier League Golden Boot this season, it feels that City’s record-breaking striker is back to his inevitable best.
Pressure on Amorim remains at a boiling point
While Manchester United might have entered September’s international break with a last-gasp 3-2 victory at home against Premier League returners Burnley, that brief boost doesn’t cover what has been another public Old Trafford nightmare.
Completely blown away here and giving up local bragging rights with a whimper, the pressure on Amorim’s shoulders remains at a boiling point.
Coming under a huge amount of scrutiny on August 27th as they came crashing out of the EFL Cup at the hands of League Two outfit Grimsby, Sunday’s travelling support once again made their frustrations clear.
Getting the 2025/26 campaign underway with a 1-0 defeat against historic rivals Arsenal on August 17th, the Red Devils have recorded just a single victor from any of their first five appearances across all competitions.
Showing a string of glaring defensive issues, things don’t get any easier for United as they will welcome Chelsea to Old Trafford next time out.
Match Report:
Manchester City: Donnarumma, Khusanov, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly, Rodri, Reijnders, Silva, Foden, Doku, Haaland
Subs: Ake, Bobb, Savinho, Nico Gonzalez
Manchester United: Bayindir, Yoro, de Ligt, Shaw, Dorgu, Mazraoui, Ugarte, Fernandes, Mbeumo, Diallo, Sesko
Subs: Mainoo, Zirkzee, Maguire
Goals: Foden (18’), Haaland (53’, 68’)
Yellow Cards: N/A
Red Cards: N/A
Referee: Anthony Taylor
