Once again it was the Manchester Unitedattacking forwards that rose highest to the occasion when it was most important. Wayne Rooney, Valencia and Van Persie put up superb performances to get a memorable and important victory for Manchester united that pushes them six points clear at the top of the premier league table. Ferdinand was the captain of the ship from the back line as he effectively saw out the goal threat of Aguerro and formed a fantastic partnership with Evans and Smalling to ensure that leaky Manchester United defense did not concede more goals than it has. Carrick showed flashes of the reasons why Manchester united coughed out a hefty transfer fee for him from Tottenham when he was balanced out play in midfield by spreading play to the wide players every time united got the ball and ensuring that City players possession in midfield was nullified when it came to the united half playing the role of a box to box player in good fashion.
Manchester united seemed more of a goal threat in the first half with the trio of Young, Valencia, Rooney and Van persie giving city a run for their money. Wayne Rooney scored two goals in the first half to put united clear at the break but goals from Yaya Toure and Pablo Zabaleta set the mood for a great derby. City looked threatening when going forward but was unable to convert most of the scoring chances they created.
But it wasVan Persie, a target for city during the summer who was the deciding factor when his free kick in the 91st minute deflected off Nasri to hit and the back of the net to secure Manchester united got a great victory over their ‘noisy neighbours’.
The match was marred by an incident that occurred after the third united goal was scored when fans hit missiles in the united half of the pitch and one of such missiles; a two pence coin hit Ferdinand drawing blood. This does not however draw from the victory as united will need this confidence when they face Arsenal and Chelsea in quick succession in the following weeks to come.
