Player Ratings: Manchester United 1-2 Manchester City

The Manchester Derby bragging rights were grabbed by the noisy neighbors as two defensive errors cost United. Manchester City went 11 points clear at the top of the Premier League after beating Manchester United 2-1 at Old Trafford. The gap is significant even at this early stage of the season, with City looking in superb form. Herrera couldn’t fill in for Paul Pogba and Lukaku had a night to forget, here are our player ratings.

David De Gea: 6

The star of last week was helpless for both of the goals, which both came from point blank range after shockingly bad defending. Had less to do than against Arsenal but cleared up everything else City threw at him, made an excellent save in the second-half to keep United in the game.

Antonio Valencia: 6

Valencia reverted back to a traditional right-back after Mourinho scrapped the three-back formation he has been using over the last couple of games. Valencia had to deal with City’s explosive front line performing well for most of the time and limiting City’s chances. United were under pressure and had little of the ball for most of the game, restricting the captain’s chances of going forward.

Chris Smalling: 6

Smalling regimented his back-line pretty well for the majority of the game. He made some key tackles in the box when City were at their most threatening. Didn’t do too much wrong in the game considering United defended for large amounts of the match.

Marcos Rojo: 6.5

The Argentinian did well in the first half but was forced off after clashing heads with David Silva. He gave United a feisty edge which was needed in this decisive game, his passion was missed in the second half.

Ashley Young: 5

Young, like Valencia, had to drop deeper with the four-back formation. It did not suit him as he has benefitted from a wing-back role. He had a tough task dealing with Leroy Sane, who showed just how good he is. De Gea had to bail him out after Young misjudged a cross allowing Sane a decent chance on goal.

Ander Herrera: 4.5

Herrera had the difficult task of filling in for Paul Pogba’s shoes in a challenging match-up. He struggled to maintain possession throughout the game as City showed their dominance over the United midfield. He was booked for an apparent dive in the second half.

Nemanja Matić: 5

Much like Herrera, Matić was out-fought in the decisive midfield battle. City dominated possession and United were unable to build-up through the middle on the occasions that they did have the ball; instead, reverting to long balls on the counter.

Anthony Martial: 6

Martial provided some electric runs and promising moments on the ball, but the game limited his chances as City proved their dominance in the midfield. He was asked to latch on to long balls, rather than receiving at feet and attacking the City backline.

Jesse Lingard: 5.5

Lingard was rewarded with the starting spot again after stringing some excellent recent performances together. However, he did not excel on this occasion. City were very good at pressing him, sitting Fernandinho on him and limiting his time on the ball.

Marcus Rashford: 6.5

Rashford provided United a spark, particularly in the first half, offering an outlet of pace. He took his goal excellently. Similarly to Martial, he was limited in his chances, chasing shadows and asked to defend.

Romelu Lukaku: 4

United needed Lukaku to take the reins tonight but the Belgian disappointed. He rarely held up the ball when it was given to him, often being out-witted and out-muscled. He gifted City their second goal, lashing out at a clearance. Had an unbelievable chance to equalize for United, yet lacked the composure to find a way past Ederson.

Victor Lindelöf (Sub, 45’): 6

Didn’t put a foot wrong, encouraging after coming on for Rojo in a game as big as this.

Zlatan Ibrahimović (Sub, 75’): 5

Came on for Lingard with 15 minutes left as United searched for an equalizer, had little impact on the game.

Juan Mata (Sub, 81’): N/A

Came on for Herrera with little time to make a difference.

José Mourinho: 5

Disappointingly reverted to a more defensive formation, perhaps to deal with City’s explosive wingers and Pogba’s absence. Far too defensive as United looked a shadow of the team they have been this year.