Our 3️⃣ points as dominant Man City cruise the derby | OneFootball

Manchester City embarrassed their near neighbours Manchester United 4-1 on Sunday with Kevin de Bruyne the star of the show.

The Belgium international scored two and assisted another to complete a perfect day for Pep Guardiola’s side.

Easy does it

Sometimes the scoreboard lies and today was one of those days at the Etihad Stadium.

For 70 minutes of this game it looked as if Manchester United were on the coattails of City – in truth, they were socially distanced and then some.

A few eyebrows were raised before the game when Raheem Sterling was dropped to the bench with Jack Grealish, Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez the front three and Ilkay Gundogan also out of the side.

But it worked a treat with City targeting United’s right-hand side and creating chance after chance on an afternoon that could have seen them rack up a derby day demolition.

Pep Guardiola’s side would end the game having had over 20 shots on goal whilst also enjoying over two thirds of the possession.

In the second half especially, City were at the supreme best, not giving the visitors an inch and almost toying with their near neighbours.

In fact, in the final 15 minutes, City had an astonishing 88 per cent of the possession.

This was a day that just reaffirmed everyone’s assumptions about these two teams.

King Kev

It’s been said plenty of times in the past but it bears repeating again.

Kevin de Bruyne is one hell of a footballer.

Other Manchester City forwards have taken the plaudits in recent weeks with Riyad Mahrez on fine form and Raheem Sterling getting the goals.

But De Bruyne showed once again here just why he’s one of the best in the world and probably one of the best pieces of business City will ever do.

The Belgium international netted two in the first half – with the first pf those taking his Premier League goal tally to 50.

But it wasn’t just the goals that impressed everyone at the Etihad.

His travelling with the ball, his movement around the pitch, his eye for a pass and defensive work rate were as good as anyone on the pitch.

A brilliant performance from a stunning footballer.

On the defensive

Manchester United’s four main centre-backs cost a total of €200m.

And right now, Ralf Rangnick can’t rely on any of them.

Raphaël Varane missed this game with a positive Covid test but definitely can’t be considered a success since joining from Real Madrid in the sumer.

Eric Bailly has been a walking injury over the past couple of years and even when fit has struggled for form in an inconsistent side.

And then the two that played here this afternoon were the main causes of the goals scored by Manchester City.

Despite City playing without a recognised striker, Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof were all at sea for the entire 90 minutes – often out of position and struggling with the movement of Phil Foden, Jack Grealish and Riyad Mahrez.

The second of Kevin de Bruyne’s goals, in particular, was indicative of their troubles this term.

Foden had Lindelof on toast with a smart touch, but Maguire was then second best to a rebound after David de Gea’s save and couldn’t stop De Bruyne from rifling in.

United have a lot of gaps to fill in their squad this summer and centre-back is one of them.