Bernado Silva scores as Manchester City defeat Manchester United 3-1 in the first round of their Caraboa Cup semi final clash In last night’s pick of the first of a 2 leg semi final in the English Football League cup, more commonly known as the Carabao Cup, bitter neighbourhood rivals Manchester City took on Manchester United at Old trafford.
In true derby fashion the fixtures didn’t fail to disappoint with plenty of goals being had on the night. It was City however who would enjoy the spoils of this first round with a compelling 3-1 masterclass, a much needed boost that sees them go into the second leg at the Etihad with a convincing advantage. However in true Manchester United fashion they most certainly won’t give up without a fight as they look to their first piece of Silverware in what has been another seemingly disappointing season thus far.
The tie comes off of the back of a previous win for United in the league the last time these two sides locked horns, however with recent ups and downs in United’s form this would prove to be a trickier affair, City also in hot pursuit of reclaiming the EFL title they currently hold.
It was Pep’s masterclass once again with his side enjoying majority of the possession early on, United looking lackluster and sluggish, Bernardo Silvers with a screaming strike to open the account for City as early as 17′. United struggled to overcome this early setback, something the young side has shown to struggle with recently.
“Well, in the first half, until they scored, it was an even game I thought. But we didn’t cope with the setback of their goal well enough. We need to learn how to handle that better, batten down the hatches, make sure we stay in the game. Stay 1-0 down and let’s make sure we get to grips with it. We didn’t and you might say [we were] lucky to be only 3-0 down at half-time. We just didn’t recover from those goals until half-time, when we [the coaches] could get into their heads a little bit.”
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s comments to his sides first half performance
United continued to show signs of crumbling as their defense battled to hold off the waves of City attack, the resistance eventually giving in as City claim a further 2 goals before the end of the first half, the first thanks to a missed interception by Victor Lindelof that saw former Leicester man Riyad Mahrez slot past David de gea for cities second. An unlucky own goal by United man Andreas Pereira on the back of a city counter attack put a further nail in the coffin as the sides went into the second half with United a disappointing an seemingly insurmountable 3-0 behind.
During the post match press conference the United boss once again spoke of his side showing courage, heart and a desire to win in fixtures where the impossible seems all too possible, that night in PSG a prime example. His words to his young team at half time emminated just this, and it most certainly proved to show some signs of effect come the second half, United looking a new side with renewed energy and purpose.
United’s Talisman David De Gea flexing his usual muscle as he keep out a decent effort early on, Mahrez continuing to put on the pressure as the 2nd half took shape. United continued pressure finally paid off as derby hopeful Marcus Rashford slotted home with a cool finish to give United a much needed goal.
The game finishing 3-1 to city with the second leg looming at the Etihad, Solskjaer’s men will look to return with a must win attitude to avoid a disappointing elimination from the competition at this late stage.
The focus for Manchester United following the defeat will be on saturdays clash against Norwich, as City look to close the gap on league leaders Liverpool as they take on Aston Villa on Sunday.
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