Man City Vs Man Utd: 10/10 Player Grades

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Post on Dec 16, 2024

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Man City vs Man Utd: 10/10 Player Grades - A Derby Day Deconstruction

The Manchester derby is always a spectacle, a clash of titans, a battle for bragging rights. This year's encounter was no different, a thrilling display of attacking prowess and defensive resilience. But beyond the final scoreline, let's delve into the individual performances and hand out our player ratings, a detailed analysis of who shone brightest and who faltered under the intense pressure.

Manchester City Player Grades

Manchester City dominated possession and created numerous chances, but the final product wasn't always there. Let's see how each player performed:

Goalkeeper & Defence

• Ederson (8/10): A commanding presence in goal, Ederson made several crucial saves, showcasing his exceptional reflexes and positioning. His distribution was also pinpoint accurate, initiating attacks from the back.

• Kyle Walker (7/10): Solid defensively, Walker neutralized Marcus Rashford's threat for much of the game. His attacking contributions were limited but effective when he did get forward.

• Ruben Dias (8.5/10): A rock at the heart of City's defence, Dias was almost impenetrable. His reading of the game and timely interventions were instrumental in keeping United at bay. A Man of the Match contender.

• Manuel Akanji (7.5/10): A composed performance from Akanji, who partnered Dias seamlessly. He showed strength in the air and was comfortable on the ball.

• John Stones (7/10): Provided the usual blend of defensive solidity and incisive passing from the back. His passing range is always a threat in City's build-up play.

Midfield

• Rodri (8/10): Controlled the midfield battle with his typical authority. His ball retention and distribution were key to City’s dominance.

• Kevin De Bruyne (9/10): A maestro as always. De Bruyne dictated the tempo of the game, created numerous chances with his sublime passes, and displayed his trademark vision. His influence was undeniable.

• Bernardo Silva (7.5/10): His tireless work rate and intelligent movement caused problems for United's midfield. His creative spark was evident throughout the match.

Attack

• Jack Grealish (6.5/10): Worked tirelessly and created a few opportunities. While his end product could have been better, his contribution to City's overall play was significant.

• Erling Haaland (7/10): While he didn't score, Haaland’s presence was a constant threat. He held the ball up well, created space for his teammates, and was unlucky not to find the back of the net.

• Phil Foden (8/10): A dynamic and exciting performance. Foden's pace and dribbling ability caused havoc for United's defence and he was rewarded with a goal.

Manchester United Player Grades

Despite a spirited effort, United struggled to contain City's attacking firepower. Here's a breakdown of their performance:

Goalkeeper & Defence

• Andre Onana (7/10): Made several excellent saves, preventing a heavier defeat. He showed calmness under pressure and distribution was mostly accurate.

• Aaron Wan-Bissaka (6/10): Had a tough time against Grealish and Foden but showed some positive defensive moments.

• Raphael Varane (6.5/10): A solid performance in a tough game. He battled well against Haaland but City’s superior firepower posed a huge challenge.

• Lisandro Martínez (6/10): Had a challenging game against City's attack. Struggled at times but showed determination.

• Luke Shaw (6/10): Defensively sound for the majority of the game, but struggled to offer much going forward.

Midfield

• Casemiro (7/10): His usual tenacious display in the middle of the park. He broke up play effectively, but couldn't influence the game as much as Rodri.

• Bruno Fernandes (6.5/10): Showed glimpses of his brilliance, but lacked overall consistency and struggled to create chances against City’s strong midfield.

• Mason Mount (6/10): Tried to influence the game, but lacked impact and accuracy in his passing and decision-making.

Attack

• Marcus Rashford (6/10): Mostly contained by Walker. While he tried to make runs, creating opportunities was a difficult task.

• Antony (5.5/10): A quiet game. He struggled to make an impact on the game and his final product let him down.

• Alejandro Garnacho (7/10): Brought some energy and pace off the bench, giving United a much needed boost of pace in the second half.

This detailed analysis provides a comprehensive overview of the Manchester Derby, highlighting individual brilliance and areas for improvement. It offers a deeper understanding of the tactical battles and the individual contributions that shaped the outcome. The next derby can't come soon enough!