Manchester United being defeated at the Ethiad Stadium/Eastlands/Whatever would not have been a shock even if Alex Ferguson was still in charge. United have always struggled with Yaya Toure's athleticism and ability to get in behind their midfield (most notably in the 2011 FA Cup semi-final where the Ivorian scored the only goal in a dominant performance). Sergio Aguero's deft volley yesterday was his second brilliant goal in successive games against the Premier League champions after his solo effort in a 2-1 victory at Old Trafford in April. Indeed, its only just under two years since City recorded an even greater margin of victory than they achieved on sunday when Mario Balotelli wondered 'Why Always Me' and Robero Mancini's side put six goals past David De Gea.
At least after that Manchester derby hammering, there was the caveat that five of the goals came after Jonny Evans was sent off and United chasing the game. Yesterday, there were no such comforting explanations. While losing Robin Van Persie to a groin injury before the game was obviously a sizable blow, the Dutchman would not have been expected or able to stem City's offensive flow.
While its hard to imagine United failing to score a meaningful goal in three successive big matches against Chelsea, Liverpool and City with the more belligerent Scot still at the helm, David Moyes' formation (4-4-1-1) and team selection was not all that different from what would have been expected from his illustrious predecessor. Ferguson was tolerant enough of Ashley Young's limitations for him to be selected in this fixture last season and regularly deemed Shinji Kagawa only to be deserving of a place on the bench in 2012/13.
Similarly, its not as if City never played 4-4-2 under Mancini but they rarely dazzled with this level of attacking precision and menace. Alvaro Negredo's inclusion ahead of the in-form Edin Dzeko was vindicated after he delivered an outstanding performance with a devastating combination of aerial power and intelligent link-up play. It was that intelligence and subtlety that was the noticeable difference between the sides. United's attacks too often ended with unthreatening Patrice Evra crosses which were easy meat for Vincent Komapny and Matija Nastasic. On the other hand, City played far more between the lines as Samir Nasri, Touré, Aguero and Negredo all dynamic in their movement and looking for quick passes around the edge of the United 18-yard box. In contrast to Evra's eight crosses, City's left-back Aleksandar Kolarov had only three but every single one of them were in a dangerous position after he was surprisingly left untracked by the normally reliable Antonio Valencia for much of the first 45 minutes. This cost United dearly for Aguero's opening goal after he expertly finished off a Kolarov cross to put City ahead.
After being outplayed for the opening half hour, United did enjoy periods of possession in the opposition half without ever looking like penetrating. Evra was left isolated by Young on too many occasions as the England international drifted into the penalty box too quickly which forced Evra to cross the ball early from deep positions. Marouane Fellaini was also guilty of being too eager to charge into the box after playing a pass instead of supporting the man in possession. This all contributed to a blunt offensive display with only Wayne Rooney the only United attacking player to emerge from the game with any credit. Rooney consistently showed for the ball throughout despite being hounded by the relentless Kompany.
The game was ended as a contest with two goals in three minutes before and after half-time. Negredo won his aerial duel with Chris Smalling from a corner to flick the ball on for Touré to finish into an empty net. Touré was left free after Fellaini mindlessly jumped into the scrum of players attempting to win the first header. Fellaini was even more culpable for City's third as he decided not to track Sergio Aguero's run into the box leaving Aguero free to nod in from close range after Negredo powerfully held off Vidic before delivering the perfect cross.
The biggest question mark surrounding Moyes' ability to step up in class to manage Manchester United was the lack of sophistication and overly direct approach of his Everton team, which significantly contributed to their poor away record against the Premier League's elite. Those doubts still remain.
