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The Manchester derby on Saturday night was not a success, but Solskjær believes the team’s performance is the best United have ever done against City.
MANCHESTER UNITED – MANCHESTER CITY 0-0:
There were several opportunities for both teams to score during the match, but Saturday night’s Manchester derby probably won’t go down in history as the most exciting.
It seemed that both teams were holding back a bit when they attacked, and the temperature in the match didn’t remind much of a derby.
Especially in the second half, a lot of time passed between events, and Sky Sports soccer expert Gary Neville reacted to Manchester United’s efforts in the end.
“The red jerseys are just walking around right now,” Neville said, according to Sky Sports.
The result means that the teams are still closely followed in the Premier League table. The Red Devils are in seventh place with 20 points, one ahead of City in second place.
Perhaps the most important incident of the match was when United were awarded a penalty in the second half, but as Rashford was out of play prior to the situation, the penalty was canceled.
– It was a very weak performance from both teams considering the pace of the game, Neville said a little later.
His Sky Sports colleague Roy Keane was also not particularly impressed with the quality of the derby and the scenes that unfolded after the match that he didn’t like.
– Really weak. Two cards in a derby. I’ve never seen so many hugs and conversations after the game. It’s a derby! The lack of quality and end product from both teams was very disappointing, Keane said after the game.
Manchester Evening News reporter Samuel Luckhurst was also not particularly impressed with what was delivered at Old Trafford on Saturday night.
– Probably the worst derby I have seen since I can remember, especially considering the absence of the fans, he wrote on Twitter.
– Our best performance
Ole Gunnar Solskjær was very happy with the way the game was developing, but still wanted to make a change to the line-up.
– In my time against Manchester City, this is the best performance we have ever had. It is not the best result, but it is the best performance. It was an even match. I know we beat them a few times last season, but there were different matches, Solskjær told the BBC after the match.
Manchester United’s Norwegian club journalist Bjarte Valen believes the outcome of the draw against City will not change much for Solskjær.
– This result changes little in the holistic thinking of both Solskjær and United management, but for Solskjær it gives breathing space compared to a possible defeat in this match, says Valen at United.no to Nettavisen.
He thinks he looks better for United now than he did at the same time last season.
– United will now enter a period with more games than it should win and if it does, it will enter the new year in a much better position than last season. Yes, Leipzig was a recession, but overall, Solskjær’s team is on the right track, Valen believes.
Centimeters from United’s initial management
After leaving the Champions League earlier this week, there was a lot of pressure on Solskjær before the match. Fortunately for the Norwegian, United have fond memories of last season’s games against City, when United won both games against city rivals in the Premier League.
It was also the home team that had the first chance of the match. United finished off a corner and Lindelöf stunned the near post. McTominay had run free at the back post and was just inches away from sliding the ball into the goal from close range.
Midway through the first half, City put some pressure on United’s midfield. This created a great opportunity for Sterling. The left wing cut across the field from the left, and with a shot and a jerk, put several dressed in red out of play. From the corner of the penalty area, Sterling was shot, but Maguire was blocked.
Gift package and city pressure
A few minutes later, Mahrez lifted the ball over United’s defense to find Gabriel Jesus running. However, Wan-Bissaka clung to Jesus like a clown, and this led to the ending of Jesus going well off the mark.
City kept pushing and, after a free throw, the Stones had a good chance. The free throw was thrown and the Stones dived for the ball and went head first. A good mark from Lindelöf prevented the City cap from getting a good header.
But then City gave United a gift package after a weak passing game in their own defense. Ederson caught a dangerous ball, but the goalkeeper’s play was a complete hit.
Greenwood caught the ball and passed it to Rashford. The forward found Pogba in the area, but his shot was blocked for a corner. Asked if Pogba shouldn’t let the ball go to a better placed Fernandes in that situation.
But it was City who was the most dangerous in the first place. Ten minutes before the break, City counterattacked with great precision. De Brunye sent Jesus alone with De Gea, but the angle became quite sharp and Jesús’ attempt went straight to the Spanish in United’s goal.
Penalty canceled
Early in the second half, Rashford went down in the City penalty area after a duel with Walker. Judge Chris Kavanagh pointed to the penalty spot after a short pause. But there was no punishment. When Rashford received the ball he was offside, which was also taken by the VAR, and thus the penalty was annulled.
Rashford also finished in the thick of the action a few minutes later. Pogba played Rashford free, and the forward accelerated and entered the shooting range. But when Rashford was about to shoot, he slipped and the shot went wide.
City took a little more initiative in the second half, and De Bruyne finally had a great opportunity. A misdirected Gabriel Jesus in United’s penalty area played in support of De Bruyne, and the Belgian had the opportunity to shoot from about seven meters. Maguire managed to arrive in time to block the shot.
Since neither team managed to seize their opportunities, they ended up with a points split at Old Trafford on Saturday night.
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