Utd Vs City: Player Ratings & Review

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Post on Dec 16, 2024

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Utd vs City: Player Ratings & Review - A Tactical Breakdown

The Manchester derby is always a spectacle, and this year's clash between Manchester United and Manchester City was no exception. While City ultimately emerged victorious, the match was far from a one-sided affair, showcasing moments of brilliance and tactical intrigue from both sides. This detailed review will delve into the individual player performances, analyzing both successes and shortcomings, and offer a tactical overview of the game.

Manchester United Player Ratings

This section provides a comprehensive breakdown of the individual performances from the Manchester United squad. Ratings are on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest.

Goalkeeper:

• David de Gea (7.5): De Gea was his usual reliable self, making several crucial saves that prevented a larger City victory. His positioning was excellent, and his shot-stopping ability was on full display. He could do little about the goals conceded.

Defenders:

• Diogo Dalot (6.5): Offered decent support going forward, but was occasionally exposed defensively against City's relentless attacks. Needs to improve his positional awareness in key moments.
• Raphael Varane (7): A solid performance from Varane, who made some important interceptions and tackles. His experience and composure were key in managing City's attacking threats. However, he was occasionally caught out of position.
• Lisandro Martínez (6): Struggled at times to cope with City's pace and movement. While he showed his usual tenacity, he was sometimes outmuscled.
• Luke Shaw (6): A relatively quiet game for Shaw. He provided adequate defensive cover, but offered little going forward.

Midfielders:

• Casemiro (7): As ever, Casemiro provided a strong presence in midfield, shielding the defense effectively. His tackling and passing were impressive, though City's midfield dominance limited his influence.
• Christian Eriksen (6.5): Showed glimpses of his creativity, dictating the tempo at times. However, he lacked the final ball in several key moments.
• Bruno Fernandes (6): An off-day for Fernandes, who failed to replicate his usual flair and influence. His passing accuracy was below par.

Forwards:

• Marcus Rashford (7): Manchester United's brightest spark, Rashford caused City problems with his pace and direct running. Though he didn't find the net, his performance was encouraging.
• Anthony Martial (5.5): Struggled to make an impact, lacking the sharpness and precision needed to trouble City's defense. His hold-up play was ineffective.
• Jadon Sancho (6): Showed some positive moments, but lacked consistency. Needs to improve his final product to truly threaten defenses.

Manchester City Player Ratings

Here’s a look at the performances from the winning side.

Goalkeeper:

• Ederson (7): A relatively quiet game for Ederson. Made one or two routine saves but wasn't heavily tested.

Defenders:

• Kyle Walker (7.5): An impressive performance, neutralizing Rashford's threat effectively. His pace and defensive capabilities were instrumental.
• Ruben Dias (8): Dominated the air, winning headers and making crucial tackles. His composure and strength were key in City's defensive solidity.
• John Stones (7): Solid and reliable, Stones formed a strong partnership with Dias. His passing was accurate and assured.
• Nathan Aké (7): Offered solid defensive cover and contributed effectively going forward.

Midfielders:

• Rodri (8): Controlled the midfield battle, dictating the tempo and winning back possession consistently. His passing range and defensive awareness were crucial.
• Kevin De Bruyne (9): A masterclass performance from De Bruyne, creating chances and influencing play with his vision and passing accuracy. He was City’s creative catalyst.
• Bernardo Silva (8): His tireless running and clever movement caused United problems throughout. He was instrumental in City's offensive build-up.

Forwards:

• Jack Grealish (7): Provided width and caused problems with his dribbling ability. While he didn't score, his contributions were valuable.
• Erling Haaland (8): His clinical finishing was on display once again, showing his prowess in front of goal. Though he missed a couple of chances, his overall impact was undeniable.

Tactical Analysis

Manchester United employed a fairly cautious approach, prioritizing defensive solidity. However, they struggled to contain City's midfield dominance. Their attacking play lacked fluidity and lacked the cutting edge needed to break down City's defense.

Manchester City demonstrated their tactical prowess, controlling possession and creating numerous opportunities. Their midfield dominance stifled United's creativity. Their fluid attacking movement proved too much for United's defense to handle.

Conclusion

The Manchester derby highlighted the gulf in class between the two teams. While Manchester United showed glimpses of their potential, Manchester City's superior quality shone through. This detailed analysis offers valuable insights into the individual and collective performances, providing a comprehensive review of a thrilling encounter.