For the past few days, both Manchester United as well as Manchester City fans were on edge. This was the build up to the famous (or infamous) Manchester derby, the battle between red and blue of Manchester, with the winner getting bragging rights for the next five months or so until the return leg at the end of February.
What made this battle more poignant is the fact that not only was the blue side gaining more weight over the past few years, but both clubs had new managers and new players with quite a hefty shopping bill over the last window. The managers are Jose Mourinho in the red corner and Pep Guardiola in the blue corner, now reviving hostilities per se, after their last clash as the heads of Real Madrid and Barcelona in La Liga a few years ago.
The build up to any derby, be it in Manchester, Liverpool (vs Everton), or the North London Derby where Arsenal and Spurs battle it out, is always filled with banter, one-upmanship or the threat or it and more between fans. This time around was no different and the game was filled with its own share of talking points, from Paul Pogba being invisible to Pep and Rooney fighting for the ball on the touchline. Or was it Rooney fighting for the ball and Pep just playing mind games? Who knows.
City won, 2 to 1. The noisy neighbours, as United fans call City fans, will be surely keeping it loud for a while.
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The match certainly answered all the questions that were left unanswered. It showcased a new and revitalised City under Pep Guardiola. Not only did we dominate at Old Trafford but we also were also able to handle the pressure and long balls from United. The Man City of last season would have been totally demoralised after Zlatan's goal and we would have surely gone on to lose or draw the match. The fans are now loud and proud, the players are all running double the distance they did in previous seasons and they're all pressing and putting up a fight. 6 out of 6 wins, who's next?
Akio Fernandes, City fan
We won in the Theatre Of Dreams without Sergio Aguero. United came back fighting in second half but Fernandinho had different plans. He is the most successful thief in the world. He kept €120M in his pocket through the entire match! Pep Guardiola, you are the best
Omkar Vaigankar, City fan
United didn't show up for the first half and the damage was already done by half - time. They were better in the second half bit didn't do enough to salvage anything from the match. Jose looked like he was shocked at his players’ apathy. Pep looked like he had written the script. It wasn't the first time but as a United fan, I hope it doesn't become too much of a habit.
Neil Sequeira, United fan
United were second best but deserved a point, with the second half display. Mourinho's team selection went wrong playing Mkhitaryan and Lingaard from the start and Bravo's challenge on Rooney should have been a straight red and a penalty to United. De Bruyne deserved to be the Man of the Match.
Will Severes, United fan
