United slipped to their first defeat of the Jose Mourinho era on Saturday, with bitter rivals City winning 2-1 at Old Trafford.
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After months of hype in Manchester – and well beyond -following the appointment of the two great managerial foes, it was Guardiola’s side who initially took complete control of a game that was being billed as one the whole world was watching.
“I like the goalkeepers to play in front with the long balls”.
Then his team set about delivering a footballing lesson to United in the first half. “We had counter-attacks and we didn’t finish”.
City’s win, their 50th in competitive derby matches, saw them end United’s ideal start to the season.
“Kevin had an wonderful, incredible game”, Guardiola said.
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho believed that strong challenge on Rooney warranted a penalty and a red card. “Claudio Bravo is a penalty and a red card – if one of my players do that in the middle of the park -if [Marouane] Fellaini or Rooney do that in the middle of the park – it’s a red card and a free-kick”, the Portuguese said.
Mourinho handed a full debut to Henrikh Mkhitaryan and recalled Jesse Lingard to his starting line-up, but both made way at the break and the former Chelsea boss stated he made selection errors.
“What was most important was that we started a very hard run of seven games in 20 matches with a win”, said Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino.
“We had a few players below that level and we were made to pay”. The ball rebounded out to Iheanacho, a replacement for the suspended Sergio Aguero, to sidefoot into the net from six meters out.
United had barely had a kick and Rooney’s frustration showed as he grappled with Guardiola for the ball at a throw-in before catching Fernandinho late.
De Bruyne was the provider for Iheanacho’s goal, finding space in United’s area to drift on to his left foot and drive a low shot against the post.
Mourinho wore a face of thunder on the touchline, but Bravo gifted his side a lifeline three minutes before half-time. They wanted the game in the first half.
Guardiola, who likes his sides to build from the back, had brought in the keeper for his ball-playing skill.
Bravo’s jitteriness gave the home fans renewed belief and he was extremely fortunate to avoid conceding a penalty in the 56th minute.
“We played good. We had the ball and when we lost it, we won it back quickly”.
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Guardiola responded to Mourinho’s changes by bolstering his own midfield, with Fernando and debutant Leroy Sane coming on and De Bruyne taking up a central forward role.
