By Samuel A. October 29, 2023
Manchester City cruised past Manchester United with ease at Old Trafford on Sunday as Erling Haaland struck twice and Phil Foden added another to give Manchester City a dominant derby day victory, taking the club up to third, tied on points with Arsenal and two points behind Premier League leaders Tottenham Hotspur. City had lost their last two on the road in the Premier League prior to this one, but had too much for the current United side who, despite a recent run of narrow wins amid injuries, have issues to address across the pitch.
Erling Haaland was the main tormentor with goals in each half before setting up a third for Phil Foden as Pep Guardiola’s side established superiority from the kick-off and rarely looked like relinquishing control. There were poignant scenes before the start as supporters from both sides of Manchester’s footballing divide joined to pay tribute to the late Sir Bobby Charlton. For manager Erik ten Hag and his players, the match that followed was one to forget.
Haaland’s first came from the spot, after Rasmus Hojlund pulled Rodri down in the box, which was punished after VAR altered the referee to pause and check the foul committed. City keeper Ederson also made a brilliant save to deny McTominay late in the first half which proved to be vital for the 3-0 win, before Haaland then hammered home a header just after the break for his 11th goal of the Premier League season.
United keeper Andre Onana produced a couple brilliant saves to deny Man City from worsening the woes, and somehow managed to keep it at three. City have now won six of the last eight derbies across all competitions and were rarely troubled in this one. United boss, Erik ten Hag, couldn’t come up with the formula for an upset and his side stay eighth, already 11 points behind Spurs, putting him in a dangerous position of getting sacked.
