We started the game with some players really below the normal level, in terms of their concentration and their mental ability to play a game of this speed.
Advertisement
“We go to one of the best stadiums in the world and win the game”, Guardiola said. But he couldn’t have missed seeing the Chilean ‘keeper drop a high cross and gift United their only goal, courtesy of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, shortly before the break.
The Portuguese was frustrated with the first-half performances from several of his players and he hooked off Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Jesse Lingard off at half-time. It’s safe to say that there is no love lost between the two managers and they will soon know what it means to be in charge of the Manchester clubs when this game is finished.
Half-time substitute Marcus Rashford made a lively contribution after coming on, setting up Ibrahimovic to fire over from six yards, before De Bruyne hit the post again and De Gea thwarted Nicolas Otamendi with a courageous double-stop, as City held on to the 2-1 win.
Manchester City’s fans may have been left covering their eyes at the hair-raising antics of their new goalkeeper in their Manchester derby triumph but manager Pep Guardiola offered a hearty “bravo” to Claudio Bravo on Saturday.
By contrast, Manchester United’s record signing Paul Pogba was conspicuous largely by his absence and inability to influence the play.
It’s a penalty and a red card for Bravo.
De Bruyne netted the opener in the 15th minute, after running on to a long-ball flicked on by Iheanacho before slotting the ball beyond David De Gea into the bottom corner.
The most eye-catching moment on the touchline occurred in the first half when Guardiola found himself in a minor skirmish – with Wayne Rooney.
With City outplaying United in the first half with their hard-working, aesthetically pleasing brand of football, it looked very much like the idealist Guardiola had once again got the better of the pragmatist Mourinho. “When they brought on Fernando so soon, it’s because they felt we were in control, much more risky”.
Rooney crossed for Ibrahimovic to head at Bravo and the Swedish striker then saw an effort blocked by John Stones after the City goalkeeper failed to field a stray ball.
“We are disappointed with the result, but we are disappointed with two decisions from Mark [Clattenburg]”, he said.
Advertisement
Regarding that challenge, Mourinho said, “It was a penalty and a red card for (Claudio) Bravo”.
