Manchester Utd 1 - 2 Manchester City: Thoughts and Ratings

My thoughts

This performance reminded me of the City of last season. It was a committed and determined performance from the team and you could tell that they wanted this more than United. 

I was surprised at Ferguson's selection before the match as he opted with a midfield of Ryan Giggs, Michael Carrick and Ashley Young. He once again picked the wrong team for a big match and this was where the game was won on Monday. You'd have thought that United would have wanted to extend their gap to 18 points but they were just lethargic.

Their fans will argue that the league is all wrapped up now (which it probably is) but if the tables were turned and City put in a performance like that despite being 15 points ahead - I'd be extremely disappointed.

Match Preview: The Manchester Derby

Can City claim some pride despite all but losing title?

By Aaron Leggott

At the start of the season, people looked at the fixture calendar and eyed this clash as one that could decide where the title would be heading in May. Fast forward eight months and those same people are probably thinking differently. 

With eight games left to play, Manchester City find themselves a huge 15 points behind their cross city rivals and all connected with the club have all but given up any hope of retaining the title.

However, there is still the small matter of a Manchester Derby to play - and everyone knows that these fixtures always mean something, especially considering how City have improved over recent years.

Last season's Old Trafford Derby clash was a good day to be a City fan!

Roberto Mancini has declared that all his players (apart from Micah Richards, Jack Rodwell and Maicon) are ready for selection, with Sergio Aguero expected to make his first start since his injury. 

City vs United: Predicted Line Up

Carlos and Sergio will be lethal...

By Archie Barnett

With the biggest Manchester derby in my life time fast approaching, here is the third part of our build up to the game.

I believe that we have nothing to fear going in to derby day. Realistically, we have the bigger and better side. With various players hitting form, we have knocked up 9 points from the last 3 games and scored an impressive 12 goals. Sergio Aguero has recently linked back up with international team mate Carlos Tevez, and this partnership is proving to be lethal.

City vs United: Match Report

Article written by Tom Smart

‘Eventful’ was the word many described the first Manchester Derby of 2012, albeit those that were in the shoes of a neutral of course.

Before the early Sunday afternoon Manchester derby kicked off, Manchester United announced that Paul Scholes was to be named on the Manchester United bench amid confirmation he had re-signed with the Champions after coming out of retirement. It was an announcement that shocked the football world, in the same week when it had been announced Arsenal legend Thierry Henry was to re-sign on loan for the Gunners for two months. The drama had only just begun.

No need to worry as United catch us up!

A lot has been made of United closing the gap on us in the past 24 hours, after they demolished Wigan yesterday and we dropped two vital points at the Hawthorns.

Report: Bitter rivals Manchester United complete comeback to win Community Shield

Another brilliant Manchester Derby saw Manchester United complete a dramatic comeback to win the Community Shield against City and win the first piece of silverware this season. The Community Shield probably needed a game like this to be sparked into life, with both sides desperate to get one over each other.

It was a poor display from City, who for the whole 90 minutes, seemed to be second best. Poor passing and lazy tackling from the players meant that United never really had to get out of second gear to exact their revenge after the FA Cup Semi Final. There was also no debut for Sergio Aguero, who was left on the bench by manager Roberto Mancini, who preferred Edin Dzeko and Mario Balotelli over the 23 year old Argentinian. 

United manager Alex Ferguson decided to play two of his new signings in David de Gea and Ashley Young, whilst Phil Jones was left on the bench. He also favoured Danny Welbeck to partner Wayne Rooney up front, leaving Dimitar Berbatov on the bench, further indication that the Bulgarian is on his way out of United.

The game started off in electric fashion, with City looking unable to cope with Nani and Young on the wings, and they were creating havoc for the two full backs. However, there was no end result from these two, and the early stages were dominated by strong tackles and animosity between the two sets of players; typical of a Derby. 

City started to use their powerful team to their advantage though as the game edged towards the 30 minute mark, through a set piece. Evra hauled down Dzeko, and from the resulting free kick, Joleon Lescott climbed above the United defenders to beat de Gea with a brilliant header to put the Blues ahead. It was arguably undeserved, but City found some confidence from the goal, and minutes later James Milner got past Evra before being taken out just outside the penalty area. It seemed like Evra was the last man, but referee Phil Dowd didn't produce any cards to the Frenchman. 

Jumping for joy: Dzeko celebrates
City's second

City's confidence grew throughout the later stages of the first half, and were keeping the ball very well. They seemed content to keep it 1-0, but with about a minute of the half left, Edin Dzeko found himself unmarked from about 30 yards out and unleashed a ferocious shot which went under de Gea and into the back of the net. The Bosnian was clearly delighted with his effort, and rightly so. City went into the break 2-0 ahead, and really, although they were second best, they took their chances unlike United.

That was soon to change though, and after the break, United looked a revived team after making 3 changes. Phil Jones, Johnny Evans and Tom Cleverley replaced Vidic, Ferdinand and Carrick. Cleverley also made an immediate impact with a cross into the box to Welbeck, whose header went embarrassingly wide. 

It took United just 7 minutes to get a goal back, with a free kick from Young being steered in by Chris Smalling from yards out. It was poor defending from City though, and was pretty much a gift wrapped goal. United took the gift with open arms and ensued with constant pressure before grabbing their second goal just before the hour mark. A great move from the Champions which involved a number of one touch passes led to Nani smashing the ball above Joe Hart into the goal. 

How did that happen? Mancini's face
says it all.

There was a number of substitions after this, with both sides changing formations to try and find a way past their opponents defences, and it was City who had the best chance to go ahead again when substitute Adam Johnson forced a fine save from the United keeper at his near post after hitting the ball firmly just outside the area.

Both teams were being roared on by their supporters to grab a winner, but with the game seemingly heading to penalties, United took the initiative with just seconds left. City were pushing for a winner with a corner, but it was headed away, and Rooney kicked the ball upfield. A very uncharacteristic error from City's captain Vincent Kompany led to Nani being given a chance to win the game with just Joe Hart to beat, he used great composure to slide past England's number one keeper and tap it into the goal, sending the United fans into raptures (who said it didn't mean anything to them!!).

Whilst it was a disappointing result for City fans, we can be sure of one thing this season; it should be a great ride!

TSBV Feature: Premier League preview (Part 2)

After previewing the seasons ahead for Arsenal, Villa, Blackburn, Bolton and Chelsea, here is Part 2 of TSBVs Premier League Review. In this part, we will discuss how we feel Everton, Fulham, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United will do in the 2011-12 season.

Match Preview: Manchester City vs Manchester United

Will we be doing the Poznan again come Sunday
afternoon?

Here is your first dose of TSBV's match previews that will be done for every game this season. In each preview, we will give you the our views on the upcoming game and who we consider to be our key player, and the man to watch.

We also are introducing an exciting aspect. For every preview, we will be asking a fan of the opposition to answer a few questions about their team, the upcoming game, and their views on City. Here are some of the key details of the match on Sunday:

News: Mancini speaks ahead of another Wembley Derby

In his interview with the media, Mancini spoke out about the game itself, Carlos Tevez, Mario Balotelli's recent comments and whether exciting new prospect Sergio Aguero will start against our fierce rivals.

Even though the Community Shield has usually been treated as a friendly in the past, there is certainly a different vibe to it this year from both camps, and Mancini himself admitted the opposition certainly helps matters: