Three Reasons Why United Lost the Manchester Derby to City

April 30, 2012 marked a historic occasion in the Premier league when Man City hosted Man United in a match that could decide the eventual winners of this year’s league crown. The Manchester Derby ended with City winning by the solitary goal, leaving Sir Alex Ferguson red faced. Here are three reasons why I think United ended on the losing side of the aisle:

1. Poor team selection:

Valencia has been by far the most effective player for United recently. Yet, Sir Alex Ferguson chose to leave him out of the team. However, Park, who has not had many games recently found favour. Giggs, the oldest player, was on the field for the entire duration.

2. Defensive mind set:

From the team composition it appears that United were aiming to draw rather than win the game as that would have effectively killed City’s title aspirations. Why else would Carrick, Scholes and Giggs with a combined age of 105 be selected while Danny Wellbeck who has formed one of the most successful attacking combinations, with Rooney, was ignored.

3. Ineffective midfield:

The midfield proved ineffective despite the inclusion of Nani whose forte is attack as opposed to the defensive play of the geriatric trio of Carrick, Scholes and Giggs. Meanwhile, the fact that Park was off-colour did not help things. In the back-line, Jones, who found favour over Rafael, appeared overawed by the occasion.

Footnote: The result of the derby has left Man United (54) trailing City (61) on goal difference. United’s hopes of winning the league title rest on City dropping a point or more in their remaining games with Newcastle (away) and QPR (home), while the Old Trafford side would aim to win both their remaining games (at home against Swansea and away to Sunderland).

Tags: Newcastle, QPR, Result, Rooney, Sunderland, Valencia

Category: EPL, Football