Insignificant Ramblings Of A Geek: The Manchester Derby

Insignificant Ramblings Of A Geek: The Manchester Derby: Man City 1 - 0 Man United The first Manchester derby for LVG in his role as Man United manager.  It was a derby that had no real clear cut f...

The Manchester Derby

Man City 1 - 0 Man United

The first Manchester derby for LVG in his role as Man United manager. 

It was a derby that had no real clear cut favourite to win. Manchester City on the back of back to back defeats against other United's in West Ham and Newcastle (who knocked them out of the Carling Cup) and looking very nervous and not really having that killer instinct that made them champions the season before, and a Manchester United squad that had a good result against a strong Chelsea team, building in confidence, but have yet to win away this season, still struggling with key injuries (especially in defence) and their worst start to a season since 1990. If you had to pick though, the majority of answers would be a result for the blues. 

The game was an interesting spectacle and started well. United were controlling the possession and were passing the ball well. The return of Rooney who had been placed in the middle of the park was causing a few issues for the likes of Toure and Fernando as the absence of Silva was evident. He and Fellani was able to fire intricate passing around the middle of the park. What was noticeable as that the defence of United were looking comfortable in dealing with any attack that came their way. Yes City had a few chances that caused De Gea to make saves but that was all. His opposite number Hart was mere a spectator. 

In big games such as these they usually take a turn with either a stroke of genius or stupidity. This game was the latter. Chris Smalling had picked up an early yellow card by standing in front of Hart as he tried to kick the ball from his hands to release a counter attack. This, in today's games is a yellow card and stupid one to pick up. He now had to be careful in his decision making when making a challenge. This though wasn't the case. 30 minutes into the game he mistimed a lunge which gave the ref no hesitation in giving Smalling his marching orders. 

This was not what LVG had in mind as prior to today's game he had said that they must not go to 10 men as they had a plan, unfortunately that plan was ruined. 

United fans must now be worried that they were now in for another thumping. With the sending off a tactical change saw the return of Carrick. Maybe a wise head would settle the nerves that were rapidly increasing. 

City had 3 good penalty shouts turned away. The ref may have been unsighted but they all were penalties. The one way traffic continued from the blue have of the city and the goal came from the inform Aguero who netted his 10th of the season. Given the chance he will score. 

To be fair to United they didn't back down or cave in. In fact they had more glorious chances themselves to score but a good save from Hart, and mis-timed header ensured that Manchester City kept their lead. There was more injury concerns for United as Rojo, who has been showing improvement in each of his games slid into a tackle and his body position as he slid resulted in him dislocating his shoulder. He required urgent treatment and looked to be in pain was rolled onto the stretcher and was given oxygen and received an ovation from both sets of fans.  The last 20 minutes of the game were a nervous 20 minutes for City. They looked rushed, panicked in their passing, and the Reds were trying to get that equaliser. It never came and City take the 3 points off their neighbours. 

A result was that wasn't as straight forward as it suggested. Manchester City having a man advantage, couldn't break United down. They panicked in the closing parts of the game and showed a vulnerability that when pushed can allow teams in through on goal. They may not have been so lucky in another occasion. United, again showed that they are building in confidence and put in a performance that their fans would be happy with considering that they were a man light, had more injuries and an inexperienced defence. If they had a full strength squad and 11 men than this result may have been completely different. 

LVG has had a torrid start to his Manchester United career, but you can see what he is trying to install. With Blind and Di Maria settling in very quickly and the improving signs of Rojo he must be impressed and is sure to know that the result will start coming. One thing is for sure he is trying to work out how to stop his players from picking up injuries in training.