All season long, Manchester United have been struggling in the wake of Manchester City. Yesterday, they finally got a measure of revenge, and made a statement in doing so.
At half-time, the Manchester derby looked like a general summation of the Premier League title race. City was dominant, waltzing past red shirts with ease, and only errant finishing from Raheem Sterling stopped them from going into the break with a three or four goal lead.
United were sluggish, lethargic and clearly second-best. The moment Vincent Kompany headed Pep Guardiola’s side into the lead, United collapsed, playing recklessly and within themselves. Chris Smalling could not track runs, Paul Pogba was guilty of overplaying every time he got the ball, and Alexis Sanchez was anonymous.
City was marching to their inevitable coronation as Premier League champions, making a mockery of their closest rivals. The headlines were all there: Mourinho, outclassed, outdated. Pogba, flattering to deceive yet again. United, just as they had been against Sevilla in the Champions League, embarrassing and impotent.
As United trooped out for the second half, it was safe to assume that the beating would continue. But as the game began to unfold once more, United did something that no one expected. They responded.
Manchester City 2-3 Manchester City match stats:
Manchester City | Stat | Manchester United |
| 2 | Goals | 3 |
| 65% | Possession | 35% |
| 86% | Pass Accuracy | 76% |
| 619 | Total Passes | 338 |
| 20 | Total Shots | 5 |
| 6 | Shots on Target | 4 |
| 8 | Corners | 4 |
| 11 | Tackles | 11 |
| 0 | Offsides | 2 |
| 3 | Fouls | 3 |
| 6 | Yellow Cards | 3 |
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 |
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Sanchez began to produce the kind of form that made him one of the best players in the Premier League over the last few years. Paul Pogba reminded everyone why he was once one of the most expensive players in the world, twice bursting past his forwards to score.
In a span of 97 second half seconds, United were level, and City were stunned. Now it was Nicolas Otamendi who could not keep up with the runs of the opposing forwards. Ilkay Gundogan was getting run over in midfield.
The tide had turned, and when the much maligned Smalling was given the freedom of the city of Manchester to calmly side foot the Red Devils in front, the turnaround was complete. The seesaw game carried on, with neither side giving an inch. In the end, Mourinho’s men left their neighbours with bloodied noses.
There is still a fight left in the Red Devils
The title will still end up in City’s hands. They are still the best team in England. But this victory showed that United will be back next season, that they will not let Guardiola build a dynasty without a fight.
It was a win that was vital to prove the doubters wrong. Pogba put in a performance that harkened back to his Juventus days, and showed that he is still an elite talent. Mourinho showed that he can still outdo his old rival, and though this season is just about done, he is still willing to fight.
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Most of all, it showed that the United players still have faith in Mourinho, and that he can still rally the troops to put in a big performance when it matters. After registering wins against Chelsea, Arsenal, Spurs, Liverpool and now City, United have come away with several big results this season.
There are still problems with the side, but perhaps they are not as bad as they have been made out to be.