“But this is football, and sometimes players disappoint managers, and sometimes players give us great surprises”. Four seasons later, the two highly successful managers are in the same league once again, and both will be looking to start off their first Manchester derby assignment with a win.
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The pre-match hype loomed over the event as soon as the new Premier League schedule was announced in June.
The Chilean looked uncertain throughout, made a number of mistakes and could have seen red for a challenge on Wayne Rooney as well.
Kevin De Bruyne: So impressive under predecessor Manuel Pellegrini, the Belgium playmaker looks set to flourish under Guardiola.
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.
He even started the move that led to City’s opening goal, passing the ball out to Aleksandar Kolarov instead of clearing his lines.
Mourinho wore a face of thunder on the touchline, but Bravo gifted his side a lifeline three minutes before half-time.
Ibrahimovic had one last chance to equal the score in the third minute of extra time, but couldn’t convert, delivering Mourinho’s first loss at the helm of United.
“The first half was their half and they got what they deserved”.
But the City boss then refused to hand the ball over to Rooney and put it behind his back to stop the United forward from taking a quick throw-in, much to the annoyance of the home support. “You want me to say what you know is true, but it has more credibility if the words come from you than the manager that lost the game”.
Fellaini, Mkhitaryan, Rooney, Lingard, Ibrahimovic.
The Chile global showcased his excellent footwork and footballing brain throughout City’s 2-1 win at Old Trafford, moving outside his area to get involved in play and starting attacks with his passing and long throws.
Mourinho took responsibility for mistakes in the team set-up and, despite insisting they were not the only poor performers, suggested the duo could have come off sooner.
A beautifully poised game swung from end to end thereafter.
Man United’s defeat to Man City will hurt Red Devils’ fans.
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De Bruyne was at the heart of City’s attacks and he was the provider for Iheanacho’s goal, finding space in United’s area to drift on to his left foot and shoot low against the post.
