The first Manchester derby of the season dramatic and then some, with City toppling arch rivals United 1-0 in a game of controversy.
Phil Foden was sent off in the first-half after kicking out at United captain Bruno Fernandes, despite the Red Devils star seemingly kicking his opponent too.
But the drama wasn’t done there. As United struggled against the ten men of City, Erling Haaland put the visitors ahead in the second-half, only for it to be ruled offside on-field.
After a VAR check, Haaland was adjudged to be onside, though the role of Enzo Fernandez, who rushed towards the ball from an offside position, seemingly wasn’t taken into consideration.
City saw out the game to earn a vital win, but debate will rage on about the key decisions made in the game.
Daily Mail Sport’s CHRIS WHEELER and JACK GAUGHAN were at Old Trafford to rate the players.
Two key decisions dominated the Manchester derby, including the allowing of Erling Haaland’s winning goal
Phil Foden was also sent off for kicking out at Bruno Fernandes, though it had appeared that the United captain had kicked Foden too
Manchester United (4-2-3-1)
SENNE LAMMENS – 6
About the first thing he had to do was pick the ball out of his net after an hour. Smart save to turn Fernandez’s shot against the post.
DIOGO DALOT – 6.5
Almost got caught napping by Semenyo when he tried to shepherd the ball out in the first-half, but otherwise handled the City winger well.
HARRY MAGUIRE -6
Had Haaland under his thumb until the goal. Just shows you can’t switch off against City’s goal machine. Booked for a silly shove on Fernandez.
LISANDRO MARTINEZ – 6
Did well to snuff out an isolated Haaland run early on. Inevitably got involved when it all kicked off over Foden.
PATRICK DORGU – 6
Deputised for Luke Shaw and marked Cherki and Ndiaye well, but out of position when he played Haaland onside for the goal.
YOURI TIELEMANS – 6.5
Picked some nice passes but had a lot less time on the ball than he did in Europe on Thursday, and was the first United player replaced.
KOBBIE MAINOO – 7
Another energetic display from him, and almost crowned it with a goal when he rattled the post in the second-half.
BRYAN MBEUMO – 4.5
Scored in United’s last two league games, but offered little threat and missed a glaring chance to equalise in the dying seconds.
BRUNO FERNANDES – 5.5
Main contribution was the red card flashpoint when he was lucky not to be booked – and maybe worse – for a dig at Foden which drew the retaliation.
MARCUS RASHFORD – 7
Tends to come alive for the derby and this was no different. United’s brightest player and hit the post with a free-kick.
MATHEUS CUNHA – 5
Picked as a false nine ahead of Sesko but didn’t offer enough. Dropped too deep too often, and had just one decent effort on goal.
Subs
Benjamin Sesko (for Tielemans 67) – 6
Joshua Zirkzee (for Rashford 82)
Head coach: Michael Carrick – 5
Began his spell as United head coach with a win in this fixture, but failed to capitalise on the red card and City’s ten men were too comfortable.
Bryan Mbeumo missed a golden opportunity to equalise for United right at the death
Manchester City (4-2-3-1)
GIANLUIGI DONNARUMMA – 8
Stunning stoppage time save from Mbeumo preserved the points. Top sweeping up when Fernandes released Rashford too.
MATHEUS NUNES – 8
A first Premier League start of the season and really composed up against Rashford. More reliable than ever.
MARC GUEHI – 8.5
His finest week in a City shirt after performances at Porto and now Old Trafford. Imperious display, calmness personified.
RUBEN DIAS – 7
Organised well. Strong work on the cover a few times. Looked cleaner in possession than in previous weeks.
JOSKO GVARDIOL – 7
Mbeumo barely earned a mention until very late on and for that Gvardiol deserves huge credit.
ELLIOT ANDERSON – 8
Had to man the fort alone quite a lot of the time and did so with his usual energy. Action man was everywhere again.
ENZO FERNANDEZ – 8
Grew into the game, especially after Erling Haaland’s opener. Very good game management and hit the post.
PHIL FODEN – 3
Whether the force warranted a red card or not, Foden’s petulance at kicking Fernandes let his team down.
RAYAN CHERKI – 6
A few nice touches before the sending off but couldn’t get into the game thereafter. Sacrificed at half-time.
Erling Haaland (left) woke up after his goal, while Gianluigi Donnarumma (centre) produced a stunning stoppage time save
ANTOINE SEMENYO – 6.5
Some of his best work was in the wrong direction and put in a shift down the left-hand side. Always a lingering threat too.
ERLING HAALAND – 8
Woke up after his goal. Suddenly burst into life. Top finish and then became far more of a focal point.
Subs
Iliman Ndiaye (for Cherki, 46) – 7
Nico O’Reilly (for Fernandez, 82)
Manager: Enzo Maresca – 8
The Cherki change at the break gave City more of a foothold. The way City plotted their way through well over an hour with ten men is down to the manager.
