Manchester City thrashed United 4-1 without Cristiano Ronaldo

a magnificent Kevin de Bruyne, with a double and an assist, and a precise Riyad Mahrez executed a Manchester United who showed his face for a good part of the game, but whose defensive fragility and the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo condemned him to yet another defeat in the city derby (4-1).

The Belgian, with a masterful game, achieved the ninth victory for City in the ‘mancuniano’ derby since Guardiola came to the sky blue bench in 2016. A victory to continue widening the footballing difference between the blue side and the red side of Manchester and to prevent the pressure from Liverpool, which continues to six points, from increasing.

Without Cristiano in the field, touched muscularlyRangnick opted to play with Bruno Fernandes of fake ‘nine’ and Elanga and Sancho on the wings, but United soon fell through with the plan. After five minutes, the great weakness of the team was exposed and De Bruyne showed no mercy. Combination from the left of Grealish and Silva, center of the Portuguese and the Belgian, unmarked, before the confusion of Maguire, Fred and Telles, appeared from behind to score with his left foot.

The early 1-0 saw a rout at the Etihad, but United pulled themselves together. He knew how to play and touch. He was not at all uncomfortable and he found his prize how easy it is to damage Pep Guardiola’s men, in an offensive transition from his own half. he started it Pogba, with a sensational pass to Sancho, who faced Walker. The side stepped back and allowed Sancho to take space, who dribbled past Rodri, he settled the ball in his right hand and nailed it down. Ederson was able to graze it, but ended up in the net.

The goal was a stimulus for United, who from midfield upwards competed face to face with City. The problem was the defense, a tremendous hole before the celestial talent. And when it is able to explode, it is unstoppable.

Phil Foden disarmed Lindelof with a hat and shot De Gea. This worked the miracle of repelling the leather, but the play did not end there. Silva could not catch the rebound; Yes De Bruynewho at pleasure made it 2-1. With only 27 minutes consumed by the clock, the party was a marvel of alternatives. Sancho was able to tie it before the break, after a great combination in which the definition failed him, while De Gea He dressed as an angel again to make it 3-1 to Mahrez.

But the Algerian had the goal between his eyebrows and it came from Guardiola’s board. With 20 minutes remaining, with the game still alive, De Bruyne put the strategy in motion. He hung a corner well past the far post so that Mahrez entered from outside the area and, quickly, made it 3-1.

One great goal to crown De Bruyne’s great match and to sentence United, who for many years have been Manchester’s weak neighbor and who ended up listening to the rival fans chant the olés towards Guardiola’s. A shower fell on them in the last ten minutes and the 4-1 conceded by the WHERE a Mahrez.

City maintains its lead of six points over Liverpool, who have one game in hand, while United say goodbye to fourth placein favor of an Arsenal that, with three games less, takes a point.

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