Manchester City ended a run of successive Premier League defeats with a commanding 3-0 victory over Man United at the Etihad Stadium, powered by a brace from Erling Haaland and a Phil Foden opener.
The win lifted Pep Guardiola’s side up the table and provided a crucial morale boost after their worst start to a league season in his managerial career. For United, however, it was another sobering derby setback under Ruben Amorim, leaving them 14th with only four points from four games.
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Early Chances and Foden’s Breakthrough
The tone was set inside 18 seconds when Haaland skewed wide from City’s first chance.City made the breakthrough in the 18th minute. Jérémy Doku burst down the right channel into the penalty area; though his initial cross was blocked, he recycled possession and delivered again.
This time, Phil Foden stooped to nod the ball past Altay Bayindir, scoring his seventh Premier League goal against United — with only Wayne Rooney and Sergio Agüero (8 each) ahead of him in derby history.
United’s only effort of the first half came via Benjamin Sesko, whose tame strike was easily gathered by City debutant Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Haaland Dominates the Second Half
Eight minutes after the restart, City doubled their advantage. A flowing move involving Nico O’Reilly, Foden, and Doku ended with Haaland clipping a precise finish over Bayindir.
Just two minutes later, Haaland somehow failed to score again, striking the post with the goal gaping. Donnarumma then made his key contribution, tipping a rasping Bryan Mbeumo volley wide at the other end.
The decisive third came in the 69th minute. Harry Maguire’s loose pass inside the City half was punished ruthlessly. Bernardo Silva pounced and released Haaland, who finished calmly to equal Rooney and Agüero’s derby tally (8 goals each).
Late on, Tijjani Reijnders spurned a chance to make it 4-0, while Casemiro somehow turned wide of an open net, summing up United’s miserable afternoon.
Key Match Stats
| Statistic | Man City | Man United |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 62% | 38% |
| Shots | 14 | 5 |
| Shots on Target | 7 | 1 |
| Goals | 3 | 0 |
| Assists | Doku (2), Silva (1) | – |
- This was Pep Guardiola’s 600th top-flight match as a manager. His sides have scored 1,500+ goals across those games (an average of 2.5 per match).
- Haaland’s double made him the fastest to 50 home goals in Premier League history after Alan Shearer.
- 15 of City’s last 17 derby goals have come from Foden (7) and Haaland (8).
- Both teams fielded lineups with an average age under 25 (City: 25y 224d, United: 25y 141d), the first time since October 2011, when City famously won 6-1 at Old Trafford.
- Donnarumma became the first player to debut in a Premier League Manchester derby for City since Claudio Bravo and Leroy Sané in 2016.
Foden and Haaland’s Derby Heroics
For Guardiola, restoring Phil Foden to the lineup after limited minutes early this season was a gamble that paid off. He praised Foden before the match, asking him to play with “joy.” The midfielder responded with a goal and creative authority in midfield, drifting into spaces United’s pair of Fernandes and Ugarte failed to close down.
Meanwhile, Haaland equalled iconic derby scorers but left the field frustrated not to have sealed a hat-trick. His two goals, coupled with his glaring miss from six yards, underlined his constant threat.
A Poignant Victory for City
The result capped an emotional day at the Etihad. Before kick-off, fans observed a minute’s applause in tribute to lifelong supporter and boxing legend Ricky Hatton, who passed away at the age of 46.
United’s Midfield Exposed
Ruben Amorim, who stunned City with a 2-1 win at the Etihad last December, was again exposed in midfield. Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte were overwhelmed, leaving City’s runners — particularly Foden and Reijnders — unchecked.
Sesko, starting his first Premier League game, cut an isolated figure before being withdrawn after 80 minutes.
Amorim’s refusal to start new goalkeeper Senne Lammens also backfired, as Bayindir endured a nervous afternoon in possession and conceded three times.
Premier League Standings
| Team | Points | Position | Last 4 Matches |
|---|---|---|---|
| Man City | 6 | 8th | W2 L2 |
| Man United | 4 | 14th | W1 D1 L2 |
Managers’ Reactions
Pep Guardiola: “We are in a situation with a start we didn’t expect. We want to be close and still fighting for titles. We have many things to improve. We are not yet a team but step by step. The victory helps us a lot. [Foden] played incredible. He is a guy who loves to arrive at the box. Our last Premier League title he was the best player in the league. We need him so much.”
Ruben Amorim: “We can do better, especially the second goal. We suffered goals we can avoid. The biggest difference was when we had transitions, we didn’t score. In the second half they did better in transition and we suffered. In these kind of games we need to be perfect and in this game we were not. The frustration is the same because with the chances we had, we need to score.”
Looking Ahead
For City, the win comes at a critical juncture. They begin their UEFA Champions League campaign against Napoli and club legend Kevin De Bruyne on Thursday, before travelling to the Emirates to face Arsenal next Sunday.
United, meanwhile, must regroup quickly ahead of another daunting test — unbeaten Chelsea visit Old Trafford next weekend.
Read More: Juventus Stages Miraculous Comeback: Adzic’s Thunderbolt Seals Epic 4-3 Derby Victory Over Inter
FAQs
How many goals has Haaland scored against Man United in the Premier League?
Eight, equalling Wayne Rooney and Sergio Agüero.
Who assisted the goals in this derby?
Foden’s came from Doku, Haaland’s first was also from Doku (via O’Reilly and Foden in the build-up), and Silva set up Haaland’s second.
Why was Donnarumma’s debut significant?
He became the first player since Claudio Bravo and Leroy Sané in 2016 to debut for City in a Premier League Manchester derby.
What did the managers say?
Guardiola praised Foden’s energy and said the win was vital after a slow start; Amorim admitted United weren’t “perfect” and lamented missed chances.
What’s next for both clubs?
City face Napoli in the Champions League and Arsenal in the league, while United host Chelsea at Old Trafford.
