What the Manchester Derby told us about City and United

Sunday’s Manchester Derby wasn’t as one-sided as the 3-0 scoreline suggested, but it was a match that highlighted Manchester City’s strength while exposing the weaknesses that remain in the Manchester United team.

Erling Haaland bagged a brace after Phil Foden netted City’s opener in a game that ran away from United over the course of the full 90 minutes. Here’s what the game told us about both Manchester rivals.

Haaland remains a force of nature

Despite scoring 22 league goals, Haaland faced questions about his overall contribution to Manchester City’s 2024/25 campaign. His performance in Sunday’s Manchester Derby, however, highlighted how the Norwegian striker remains a force of nature capable of deciding any match in a moment or two.

Manchester United had no response to the physicality of the most potent centre forward in the Premier League. There was so much space around the visitors’ defensive line that Haaland wasn’t just able to get in behind, like he did for City’s third goal, he was afforded the space to get on the ball in deep areas too.

United’s midfield is a structural disaster 

Ruben Amorim has faced constant questions about his 3-4-3 formation since taking over at Old Trafford last year and Sunday’s derby crystallised a lot of the concerns about Manchester United’s system. The midfield unit in particular is ill-equipped to handle top-level soccer in the Premier League.

Against City, Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte were deployed as a double pivot. Fernandes, however, isn’t a number eight and offers very little on the defensive side of the ball while Ugarte isn’t comfortable enough on the ball to progress possession from deep areas. 

Guardiola has given Doku more freedom

Until this season, Jeremy Doku had been a source of frustration for Manchester City supporters. The Belgian’s natural skill was apparent, but he rarely impacted matches in the way Pep Guardiola surely would have wanted. This season, though, Doku has been one of City’s most impactful players.

This was certainly the case against Manchester United. Doku created City’s first goal by driving to the byline through several opposition players. The 23-year-old also set up Haaland for the second goal of the game and was a threat throughout in central areas, not just on the wings. Guardiola has given Doku more freedom and the Belgian is benefiting.

Mbeumo is the one bright spot in United’s season

As an attacking force, Manchester United were limited by City in Sunday’s derby. Benjamin Sesko had just 20 touches of the ball and registered just one shot on goal. Bryan Mbeumo, however, would have found the back of the net had it not been for an outstanding finger-tip save by Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Mbeumo has been the one bright spot in United’s dismal season so far. The Cameroonian looked lively on the right wing against Manchester City and was a threat behind Nico O’Reilly. On another day, he would have scored, but Manchester United need more than just Mbeumo as a danger in the final third.

Donnarumma might be what City need in goal

There was widespread surprise when Manchester City completed the signing of Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain on deadline day. The Italian is known for being weak with the ball at his feet and so Donnarumma looks to be an awkward fit for a team that likes to build out from the back.

On his derby debut, though, Donnarumma made a stunning save to prevent Mbeumo from scoring and was a commanding presence at the back. City are more defensively vulnerable than at any other point of Guardiola’s time in charge. Subsequently, they now need a shot-stopping goalkeeper first and foremost. Donnarumma looks to be that player.