As two of Europe’s biggest clubs entered, the atmosphere became electric. Two clubs, one winner, Red vs Blue. As both teams walked into the Old Trafford stadium fans felt the excitement of the game ahead. In just a few minutes, one of the biggest matches in Europe would be beginning, the Manchester Derby!
Manchester United, the hosts, walked in with confidence even though they had a very slim chance of winning due to their past performance and season. Their opponents, Manchester City, a team that has dominated the premier league in recent years, were very composed as they came into the stadium proudly.
Regardless of how each team felt, the outcome of the game was still up in the air. No one knew what to expect with Manchester United as they brought in a new manager as well as the fact that they were facing multiple injuries. In addition, Manchester City faced multiple problems due to several injuries of their defenders forcing their manager, Pep Guardiola, to change specific tactics and lineups.
As the ball was kicked off, both sets of fans watched the game closely. Manchester City had just signed 26 year old Antoine Semenyo who had been playing with excellent form in the team’s previous games. He had contributed 2 goals in the team’s last 2 games making him a threat to Manchester United. The United captain, Bruno Fernandes, has contributed to the club with strong leadership and his elite passing.
Manchester United dominated the first 3 minutes. They had won a corner. Fernandes stepped up to take. Fans were on the edge of their seats as he delivered a successful ball to the back post. Harry Magurie met the ball perfectly with his head only to hit the crossbar leaving him frustrated. Just a few minutes later, a shocking tackle made by Diego Dalot, left Manchester City’s star winger, Doku, screaming in pain. He had delivered a tackle straight to the knee causing a foul. The referee awarded a free kick and gave Dalot a yellow card, cautioning him very strictly. The Manchester City fans became furious, and thought the tackle deserved a red card. Manchester United fans were fortunate to see their defense had not collapsed yet.
As Manchester City brought the ball up they looked composed. Semenyo had the ball at his feet and whipped a beautiful cross to the head of Bernardo Silva who missed the key chance and hit over the goal, as the City fans were stunned in disbelief.
Bruno Fernandes was creating chances to score left and right, as the Manchester City defense could not contain him. There it was: a beautiful right-footed ball played around the defenders into the feet of Amad Diallo. He took a strong first touch, dribbled around the keeper, and shot it straight into the net. The fans celebrated, astonished by the play. Only to see the assistant referee flag up, symbolizing an offside position and disallowing the goal.
Manchester City started to become threatening in the final third, the shooting phase, as they began putting up vigorous shots and were inches from a goal.
Phil Foden, 25 year old English midfielder, stepped up to take a corner for City. He delivered an excellent cross which curled straight to the back of the box where Manchester City were able to create a dangerous chance. However, in the end it was surprisingly saved by the young United keeper, Senne Lammens.
Shortly after, in the 40th minute, just before halftime, a lob ball was played over the top to Fernandes who dribbled straight past the keeper. He then faked a shot causing the defender to slide and calmly placed it into the net. As he went off to celebrate, yelling with happiness, the assistant referee made a delayed offside call resulting in another disallowed goal for United.
Halftime arrived and the score was 0-0 as both teams walked into their locker rooms disappointed.
After halftime, fans were back in their seats to see the second half. United played with passion and confidence, setting a strong point that asserted their presence. Manchester City still dominated possession and showed their defensive resilience. Donnarumma, Manchester City’s star keeper, kept them in the game to start the second half as he made countless amounts of saves, like an unbreakable wall.
1-0!
In the 65th minute United had spoken. As the commentator yelled GOAL! The fans erupted with joy. Manchester United were able to create a counter attack as they charged towards goal. Fernandes played a decisive ball to Brian Mbuembo who calmly slotted home a left footed finish into the bottom right corner of the goal, giving Donnuruma no chance of saving it.
2-0!
In the 76th minute the impossible was present. As Mattheus Cunha, newly signed by Manchester United, delivered a right footed cross from the right side, the ball landed perfectly into the box. Patrick Dorgu, the left wing from Denmark, met the ball with precision and gave a left-footed finish, hitting the post and going into the back of net. Fans and the entire Manchester City team were left in disbelief.
Manchester City started to make some changes in the lineup, in hope of a late leveler, but it seemed unlikely for them to finish their shots.
Manchester United did not let up. They kept on creating changes as Amad hit the post on a break away, creating frustration. However, just a few minutes later Cunha delivered the ball on the right side again. He was in open space and decided to play a beautiful squared ball into the box, where Mason Mount hit the ball calmly to score one more for the team. However, he was caught offside by the assistant referee who disallowed the goal.
Just a few minutes later, the whistle was blown. The game was over. The United fans erupted in happiness while the City fans were left in confusion and shocked. Pep Guardiola looked stunned and was filled with rage. Michale Carrick, United’s new manager, was overjoyed and filled with excitement as he had just won his first Manchester Derby with the club.
United’s success was echoed through the stadium as red defeated blue and moved up in the Premier League. Who knows what will come next. One thing is certain: this is a new beginning for Manchester United.
