Old Trafford was the scene of one of the biggest shocks in Premier League history, as the Champions were thrashed at home to see their 37-game unbeaten run at the Theatre of Dreams come to end at the hands of their fiercest rivals Manchester City.
It was sheer humiliation for the Reds as they were destroyed by a rampant City, with the nightmare finally ending at 6-1. Despite the heavy defeat, however, it was United who started the brighter of the two sides, as they dominated possession early on, with Ashley Young particularly lively on the left flank. But the Devils were unable to split the Blues' defence open, despite spending most of the first ten or fifteen minutes in and around the City box. It was clear from the off that City had a gameplan to target the United wingers Young and Nani, with Young especially, being fouled on numerous occasions by Richards and Barry.
City rarely threatened until a brisk counter-attack saw Balotelli slot the ball into the bottom corner, despite a despairing dive from de Gea, to see City take an undeserved one goal lead. However, after that goal completely against the run of play, United's heads dropped, and it was the Blues who took over the domination of possession, but similar to the home side, failed to capitalise as it remained 1-0 at the break.
Half time brought an opportunity for Sir Alex Ferguson to lift his lacklustre side, and the performance was crying out for changes, with Nani a spectator and Anderson having a poor display in midfield. However, the manager stuck with the starting XI, and it was more of the same, as City started the second half on the front foot. United's misery continued when Evans was sent off for hauling Balotelli to the ground, preventing a goalscoring opportunity. Even then, his side a goal down, and now a man down, Ferguson persisted with the current crop of players, and moved Fletcher to right back, with Rooney dropping into midfield. But City were ruthless after the sending off, with another goal for Balotelli, and one for Aguero to effectively end any faint United hopes of a revival.
There was something to cheer about for The Old Trafford faithful, however, as Fletcher, back in his favoured midfield role with the introduction of Phil Jones, scored with a fantastic long range effort to give a slight glimmer of hope. But the hope was short-lived as City ran riot in the final few minutes of the game. Edin Dzeko had a major impact in the twenty minutes he was on the pitch, scoring two and setting up one for David Silva, who returned the favour for Dzeko's second, as the Blue half of Manchester were in Dreamland at 6-1.
There is no doubting that the sending off made a massive difference to what followed, but even at 11-a-side, City were more clinical, and seemed to want it more. In a game of few positives, the performance of Ashley Young was pleasing for a United perspective, as he always looked a threat cutting in from the left, and Darren Fletcher looked more like his old self. However, players such as Nani, Anderson and Evans need much improvements on their showings today, as well as the previously reliable veterans Ferdinand and Evra, who were part of a non-existent defence in the second half. One thing's for certain, massive improvements are needed if United are to bounce back from this pounding, with a tough trip to Everton next weekend. Manchester City have put down a marker, they are ready this year to challenge the Reds for the title, now United have to prove the city, and title is theirs.
Both sides remain 1st and 2nd, with United keeping 2nd after Chelsea's 1-0 defeat at QPR. With this victory, City have opened a 5 point gap at the top of the table.
United Team
De Gea, 5, Smalling, 5, Evans, 3, Ferdinand, 4, Evra, 4, Nani, 3 (Jones), Fletcher, 6, Anderson, 3 (Hernandez), Young, 7, Rooney, 5, Welbeck, 6.
RDI's Man of the Match
Ashley Young - one of the only bright sparks of the game for United. Was a constant threat to the City defence, but was prevented from playing to his full potential due to being constantly fouled by the blue defence.
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