MUFC vs MCFC: 6 Things We Learned from the Demolition Derby

Old Trafford has Become the Theatre of Defensive Nightmares

A glance at the Premier League table would suggest a 1-6 scoreline was very surprising, but after analysing the stats from the season so far, the omens had been there for a hefty Manchester United loss. 

United have afforded the opposition a scandalously-high 168 shots in just nine domestic games so far this season, the highest amount of any PL team.  At Old Trafford, where there is even greater emphasis on the home team to attack, they have been especially welcoming. 

Title rivals Manchester City and Chelsea produced 22 shots apiece, while Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur fired in 20 each.  Even relegation-battling Norwich managed 17 and with better finishing could have easily left with three vital points.  The difference is that Manchester City were clinical with their finishing compared to previous opposition, converting six of their seven attempts on target into goals.

City are Deadly Away

In the buildup to the derby, critics heaped pressure onto Roberto Mancini’s men, citing a lack of top quality opposition so far this season.  The Blues have now left White Hart Lane and Old Trafford, scoring an impressive 11 goals and conceding just two along the way. 

City now hold far and above the division’s best away record—W4 D1 L0—scoring an emphatic 20 goals, with the opposition replying only six times.  Victory at Old Trafford is especially difficult, with United picking up 55 out of a possible 57 points at home last term. 

Prior to the weekend, United also had the strongest home record this season, although the complexion has now been changed somewhat—W4 D0 L1—scoring 17 and conceding nine.

Wayne Rooney is Unreliable

The stream of controversy surrounding the Rooney family is incessant.  After the latest allegations, this time against Wayne Sr., the United striker has suffered a drop of form.  A needless kick out in England’s final EURO 2012 qualifier ensured Rooney will miss the group stage of the tournament finals. 

Alex Ferguson claimed that Rooney was fine and ready for action but then proceeded to drop the striker for United’s trip to Anfield, later claiming that "his head wasn’t right."  Redemption came in Romania, as Rooney’s two penalties put ninth-placed Galati to the sword but then came yet another anonymous performance in the Manchester derby. 

After last summer’s scandal, Rooney suffered a horrendous drop in form, eventually handing in a transfer request as he attempted to force a move to United’s rivals.  This time there will be no transfer controversy, but United will need the Evertonian to regain form, and fast.  Next stop, Goodison Park.

City’s English Spine is Priceless

Many have questioned the wisdom of spending £24 million on Joleon Lescott and £18 million plus Stephen Ireland on James Milner, but they are finally showing their worth. 

Since replacing Kolo Toure in the centre of the City backline, Joleon Lescott has been imperious.  Strong in the tackle and in the air, Lescott’s biggest weakness is with the ball at his feet, but on Sunday he demonstrated a calmness and a belief in his own abilities as he comfortably won every duel with Daniel Welbeck. 

Former Aston Villa men Gareth Barry and James Milner have often been derided by critics, but they too demonstrated just how vital the engine room cogs are in the Manchester City race for titles.  Gareth Barry completed 92 percent of his passes, while Milner’s tireless running assisted two vital goals.

Michael Owen is Stuck in the Doldrums

It seems a lifetime ago when a City side led by Mark Hughes suffered an infamous 4-3 loss at the hands of Manchester United.  The ADUG reign was still in its infancy, Carlos Tevez was becoming a City hero and Michael Owen was the impact sub many United fans dreamt of.

Jump forward two seasons, and the footballing landscape has a completely different complexion.  City are finally beginning to fulfil the ambitions ADUG placed upon the club—winning their first trophy under the new owners in May. Carlos Tevez is a social pariah—forced to train separately from the rest of the City first team squad—and Michael Owen can now only wish of making the bench. 

Prior to Sunday’s derby, Michael Owen declared on his Twitter account, “Would be nice to sneak on the bench and make a similar impact to 2 years ago.  Or maybe I won’t be on the bench as we have a big game on Tuesday that the Boss might want to keep me fresh for!!!” 

The "big game" was League Two Aldershot away in the Carling Cup fourth round.  Owen started (and scored) versus Aldershot, making only his second of the season, after the Carling Cup third round tie versus Championship side Leeds United.

Micah Richards is Becoming the PL’s Leading Right-Back

Perennially overlooked by the senior national team and their current coach Fabio Capello, Micah Richards has become a firm favourite of a different Italian, Roberto Mancini.  The biggest compliment Mancini made to Richards has been his unwavering faith in the youngster. 

Backed with an unlimited budget, many believed the former Nerazzurri boss would return to Internazionale with the intention of prying away the Brazilian marauder Maicon.  Mancini, however, set upon moulding Richards into his own Maicon; the City academy graduate certainly had the physical attributes to do it but suffered from loss of concentration. 

His positional woes have been largely eradicated under the meticulous eye of Mancini, and at still only 23, he has the time to improve even further.