Both sides came into a hotly contested Manchester Derby unbeaten in their last five and starting to gather some momentum into this all important Carabao Cup semi-final.
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Manchester United have won five out of their last six, including a draw against Leicester City. Whilst their noisy neighbours Manchester City have won five on the bounce. Therefore changes were to a vital game were minimum, with City making two. Fernandinho came in for Rodri in the centre of midfield and a like for like swap on the wing with Riyad Mahrez coming in for Bernardo Silva. United made one change with Dean Henderson coming in for David De Gea in goal.
First Half
It was a frantic start at Old Trafford, both teams looking to make up for the dull goalless draw that was played out earlier in the season.
Manchester United had the ball in the back of the net in the first minute through Marcus Rashford however the goal was correctly ruled out for offside. United looked hungry and went close through Bruno Fernandes who forced an excellent save from keeper Zack Steffen; who produced a strong hand to push the ball to his left and out for a corner. In the 12th minute, Kevin De Bruyne rifled a shot onto the left-hand post after being played in by Raheem Sterling. This left Henderson beaten and counting him and his United team extremely lucky. The ball was then in the net again for the third time as Phil Foden tucked away nicely but yet again the goal was correctly ruled out and the teams went in goalless.
Second Half
City started the second half as they ended the first and looked the dominant side throughout and in the 51st minute they got their reward. Foden put in a teasing ball into the box which left United’s defence dumbfounded and the ball was bundled in off John Stones‘ thigh and into the back of the United net. Pep Guardiola’s side then upped the gears and went close once again when João Cancelo’s pile-driver went agonizingly just over the bar to the relief of the goalkeeper who was beaten.
Solskjaer’s side continued to be frustrated and it was evident with Luke Shaw and João Cancelo getting into a heated altercation resulting in the Portuguese international receiving a yellow card. Roy Keane will have been pleased as he was previously quoted from the last Manchester derby saying: “I’ve never seen so many hugs and chats after the game. It’s a derby game!”
Finally in the 83rd minute City doubled their lead and ultimately sealed the game. A corner was whipped in from the right-hand side, the ball was partially cleared by Anthony Martial but only to the feet of Fernandinho who volleyed home superbly leaving Henderson rooted to his goal and City saw the game out with a confounding defensive display.
Two Rivals Set to Meet in Carabao Cup Final
As a result, the first major trophy in English football will be contested by Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola – two of the most successful managers in recent years. The new date for the Carabao Cup final is Sunday 25 April 2021 after being switched from Sunday 28 February 2021.
Full-Time Score: Manchester United 0-2 Manchester City
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