Manchester United v. Manchester City: 10 Things United Learned From Derby
Wow.
A thoroughly riveting derby settled by a moment of pure magic.
And although Wayne Rooney's spectacular overhead winner will deservedly dominate the post match analysis, there's a few other notable conclusions that can be drawn from today's game.
So what have we learned from this afternoon's encounter?
1. Sir Alex Ferguson Still Doesn't Trust Dimitar Berbatov
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He may have come into the game as the league's top goalscorer, but it seems its still not enough for the Bulgarian to persuade the manager of his virtues. Jettisoned for the visit of Arsenal despite scoring five in his previous outing, this was arguably a bigger snub, given the nature of the opposition.
City were always going to try keep things tight and the deployment of a 4-4-2 wouldn't have been unnecessarily expansive, but again the maverick Bulgarian was demoted to the bench for the big games.
An interesting statistic that may have played on the manager's mind, Berbatov has failed to score in 17 of his last 22 appearances.
Given the number of potentially decisive games left on United's calendar, Berbatov may have to get used to the ignominy of starting on the bench despite being the league's top scorer.
2. The 4-5-1 Is United's Formation For Big Games
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As previously alluded to, if there was ever a day to use two strikers in a big game, then this was it.
However, does the system also reflect negatively on United's central midfielders? Is there a fear that any of two alone of the compendium of options available to Sir Alex might be out run and out fought?
It was also interesting that in spite of selecting three central midfielders, United rarely tried to play through the centre, with the flanks or the long ball bypassing midfield being the preferred options to launch attacks.
Whatever the reasons for its deployment, the Glaswegian seems steadfast in his belief that this is the formation for big games.
The results vindicate his belief, so expect to see a lot more of it in the coming months.
3. The Wolves Game Was a Mere Blip On the Radar.
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Last week's first league defeat prompted the inevitable question of whether it was a blip, or the start of a rot.
United had looked shaky at the back, bereft of ideas on the attack and there was an understandable level of disconcertment surrounding this fixture.
However, beating your local rivals, and fellow Championship contenders, was an emphatic a reply as you could get.
4. Patrice Evra Needs a Rest.
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Ten minutes in, Micah Richards breaks down the left side of the United defence, provoking a desperate search for Evra. A few seconds later, he jogs into view, seemingly oblivious to the chasm he had left in his wake.
Perhaps given his turbulent summer, and the fact he's started all but one of United's league games, its no surprise he looks jaded.
With John O' Shea's return to fitness, Jonny Evans ability to play left back and the emergence of Fabio, United should be able to give the Frenchman an occasional rest, starting with Crawley next Saturday.
5. Old Trafford Can Have Atmosphere
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Much of opprobrium directed by visiting fans at Old Trafford centres on the lack of atmosphere at United's home games.
Today though, the crowd noise was incredible. Which begs the question, why cant it be like that every week?
While the derby factor and Carlos Tevez saga adds to the excitement, surely more games should be subject to the same level of vocal enthusiasm from the fans?
6. Nani Is Favourite for Player of the Year.
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What a twelve months it's been for the diminutive Portuguese.
He has metamorphosed himself from an inconsistent, often frustrating bit part player, to the main focal point of the side and his importance and contribution appear to be burgeoning.
Another goal and assist today means he has played a major part in 21 goals in his last 20 games, and coupled with the injuries to Bale, Van Der Vaart, Nasri and Carroll, leave him in pole position for the ultimate individual honour of the season.
7. Chris Smalling Has a Big Future Ahead of Him
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After the surprise announcement of his signature was made last season, a lot of focus was directed on the then young Fulham defender.
He often looked like a rabbit in headlights, and concerns were raised about what effect playing in front of 80,000 fans with increased media exposure might have on him.
Today was his first real test however, and he passed with flying colours. Time and time again he thwarted City attacks and looked composed in possession.
The comparisons with Rio Ferdinand are as merited as they are obvious.
8. United Are Struggling With Crosses
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Two conceded at Bloomfield Road, another two at Molineux and yet another today.
Throw in Bent's goal, Whitehead's for Stoke and the late goal at Birmingham and United seem particularly susceptible to crosses at the moment.
Its hard to know whether to lay the blame at the feet of the central defence for failing to adequately deal with them or the wide areas for conceding the space, but as usual the truth probably lies somewhere in the middle.
Some are putting it down to the absence of Ferdinand, but he was on the field for Bent's and Bowyer's strikes.
United have ten days to work on it before their next serious assignment, but with crucial league games and European assignments coming up its imperative this facet of the defence is improved immediately.
9. 'Noisy Neighbours' Still Have Little To Shout About.
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The chasm may not quite be as yawning as it once was, but there's still a big gap between Manchester's biggest clubs.
The four league meetings in the last two seasons have featured three United wins and a draw, and the gap of eight points with a game in hand is emphatic.
The FA Cup and Europa League aren't the competitions City's owners or fans have in mind, but they'll have to be content to challenge on minor fronts for now as the bragging rights remain in the red half of Manchester for another season as least.
10. Form Is Temporary, Class Is Permanent
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It may have been only his fifth league goal of the season, but was there another player on the field capable of scoring that winner?
Rooney seems to be approaching his best though, his last seven games have featured four goals and four assists.
Given how far United have come with him playing a peripheral role, the season will take on an ominous complexion if he can extrapolate that form to the end of the season.
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