[SteveJ]

Turned a corner.

 

[Crashoutcassius]

IMO city lack spine and kompanys new injury has probably turned the tide in our favour before today

We were excellent defensively today, smalling and blind. Delighted. Lingard not getting much praise probably because of fans scared to be wrong about him but I thought he was the man that made us look dangerous. Didn't think martial was up to too much but in general 3 of our front 4 look like they can get around for the first time in years. Also happy fosu mensah keeps featuring as he's the biggest talent in that youth team imo

 

[gerdm07]

Martial had a very good game. Not sure about your comment.

I think Oliver has become a very good referee the past two season, but he really messed up with the non PK and really Smalling should have gotten red.

 

[Danny1982]

Exactly.

 

[Cheesy]

 

[SalfordRed1960]

Smalling played brilliant today. His from has gone downhill a bit recently but he was back to his best today.

He did well in looking after Aguero, but saying that Aguero did have a couple of good opportunities due to his quality, so not surprising. I though Smalling gave away some really daft fouls, one for which he got booked for, so needless so early in the game. Also, he did some Rio style forward runs and then panicked, on a couple of occasions putting us in a difficult position. Not implying he did bad, but like I said earlier not the Smalling of earlier this season. I thought as a team we defended and attacked well. Just wish Morgan and Carrick could catch the youngsters up and give support.

 

[sdb4884]

Another once in a few weeks revival.

Very professional performance, a front pairing of Martial and Rashford is very exciting indeed.

 

[LLMU]

3 points , we got 3 points.

 

[bugmat]

Great first half, timid second. Front for were good, Morgan, Blind and DDG also...fullbacks were poor and Smalling started badly but improved. At the end of the day 3 points and beat the bitters.

 

[Shimo]

Elated to win that today. Honestly thought it was going to be a crap Sunday with Dippers up 0-2 at half and not having much hope for a performance from us but, the lads gave one. Lots of people stepped up today. Just hope for once this season they can actually not screw up a good launching pad.

A couple seasons ago I thought Michael Oliver was going to be a top ref but, the guy is just horrible. Really thought he was going to cost us the game. Early yellow to Smalling for nothing but, City then kept getting away with things not to mention blatant penalty not given - guess least he could do not giving Smalling a second yellow.

 

[RedDevil@84]

Decent performance. City were in their usual hot and cold form.
Kudos to wining the derby. A win is all that matters in a derby.

Hope people don't start moaning about City being an ultra s**t team being the sole reason for our win

 

[RedDevil@84]

Michael Oliver with another eye blinding performance. This is his 3rd Manchester derby in 3 seasons. Its amazing how such an inconsistent referee like him keeps getting these matches.

 

[11101]

Loving the chemistry / bond between likes of Rashford, lingaard etc.

You can tell it means loads to them as young local lads.

Rashford, Lingard and Martial seem to get on very well from the way they celebrate together.

 

[Niall]

Good result but I expect us to lose our next game and not get top 4. There are no turning points anymore under LVG, it would have happened by now.

We are consistently inconsistent.

 

[Cnaiür urs Skiötha]

That Goal was world class. Playing like this Mourinho cannot ignore Rashford. If the kid keeps developing like this it will be hard to find an upgrade for reasonable Money. Even in the short time.
With him and Martial we have something to look Forward.

Beside that some positive Performances by Schneiderlin, Smalling, Blind.

Overall still not good enough and if City were in better shape we would not have got anything out of this.

 

[Stretford End Phil]

Good result against a pretty poor opponent. We remain inconsistent and our defence so reliant upon Smalling that it's become one man against all.

 

[Mark_GrumpyLion]

Still can't believe it.

 

[Reducation]

I would have been absolutely livid if that non penalty call cost us a result in that match. It's unbelievable to just wave on from that, I'd really like to hear an explanation on that!

Perhaps Rashford's dive - which he no doubt executed to exaggerate the effects of the challenge - put enough doubt in the ref's mind. When a player's leg (right leg in this case) disappears from under him so unnaturally like that it's bound to muddy the waters, so to speak.

 

[SirFergie]

Good result against a pretty poor opponent. We remain inconsistent and our defence so reliant upon Smalling that it's become one man against all.

That's a massive disservice to Blind to be honest who was excellent again yesterday. It was he who was doing the ordering not Smalling.

 

[Stretford End Phil]

That's a massive disservice to Blind to be honest who was excellent again yesterday. It was he who was doing the ordering not Smalling.

Apart from being pulled out of position and left stranded a few times, yes I suppose Blind had a pretty average game - again.

 

[LeftyBlaster]

Good result but I expect us to lose our next game and not get top 4. There are no turning points anymore under LVG, it would have happened by now.

We are consistently inconsistent.

This. There won't be a "click" in his philosophy. There is no philosophy. His approach has been scattergun.

 

[SteveJ]

He looked visibly shocked when Rashford scored; it's as if he expected us to lose.

 

[Ecstatic]

Start of the game

Then,

At the end of the game

The goal: where is the midfield of City?

 

[Tincanalley]

Surprised you say that about Smalling. He has digressed from the start of the season. Lost all composure, gives away far too many fouls and is fairly clueless on the ball. The only negative from today.

Thought most of the team played well, and a typical top of the table type game (except it wasn't) where each exposed their weaknesses and strengths. Rashford and Martial carried on from Thursday with loads of effort. If Lingard had an ounce or two more quality that would be quite a decent front line. Just wonder what an Aguero style striker could do for us.

I like how we didn't panic under pressure, and it may have been the first game of the season where the defenders actually blocked shots. Game plan worked well, and Carrick largely bossed the midfield.

One of the most interesting things about this game was where LVG played Lingard. I think we have seen a new dawn and a new Utd no10. I might be wrong, but I love how competitive Smalling is in 50/50 situations. As for fouls, meh. You don't make omelettes, etc... Agreed on the less panicked vibe. In a grander scheme, I know it seems a long time away, but with investment, with coaching, with the killer instinct, I think United will be amazing in 2018/19