Skip to main content
Join The Club
- Join our community
17
Member Features
24/7
Access Available
5K+
Active Members
Live Q&A Sessions
Weekly interactive sessions
Member Competitions
Win exclusive prizes
Exclusive Content
Premium articles & videos
Early Access
First to see new features
Private Forums
Connect with members
Monthly Rewards
Surprise gifts & perks
GET CLUB ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your football news.
By submitting your information, you confirm you are aged 16 or over, have read our Privacy Policy and agree to the Terms & Conditions.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more

Get Club Access Quick

Join The Club for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation plus sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information, you confirm you are aged 16 or over, have read our Privacy Policy and agree to the Terms & Conditions. Geographical rules apply.

FourFourTwo FourFourTwo FOOTBALL NEWS, FEATURES, QUIZZES
UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia US EditionUS CA EditionCanada KR Edition대한민국 TR EditionTürkiye
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Soccer Cleat Buying Guides
  • Newsletter
  • News
  • Video
  • Features
  • Quizzes
  • Clubs
  • Membership
  • More
    • Interviews
    • Subscribe
    • The Magazine Archive
    • Lists
    • How to Watch
    • About
FourFourTwo Magazine
FourFourTwo Magazine
Why subscribe?
  • Fascinating feature articles, covering everything from grass-roots football to the international scene
  • 'ACCESS ALL AREAS' pass to exclusive interviews with the biggest and best names in the game!
From$29.99
Subscribe now
Don't miss these
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 17: Manchester United head coach / manager Michael Carrick applauds after the Premier League match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on January 17, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Copa/Getty Images)
Competition How to watch Arsenal vs Manchester United: TV channels, live streams, watch online as a vintage Premier League rivalry continues
MADRID, SPAIN - DECEMBER 09: Pep Guardiola, head coach of Manchester City, attends his press conference ahead of their UEFA Champions League 2025/26 match against Real Madrid CF at Bernabeu stadium on December 09, 2025, in Madrid, Spain. (Photo By Dennis Agyeman/Europa Press via Getty Images)
Competition How to watch Man City vs Galatasaray: Live streams, TV coverage, preview as Pep Guardiola's side aim to avoid a play-off in the Champions League
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 4: during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Chelsea at Etihad Stadium on January 4, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Competition Is Man City vs Wolves on TV? Live streams, watch online as Premier League title hopefuls look for a reaction against Wanderers
Ranked! The best centre midfielders in the world
Player Ranked! The 20 best central midfielders in the world
Ranked! The best goalkeepers in the world
Player Ranked! The 20 best goalkeepers in the world
Ranked! The best defensive midfielders in the world
Player Ranked! The 20 best defensive midfielders in the world
The Best Players In The World Right Now
Player Ranked! The 100 best players in the world, 2025
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 25: Michael Carrick of Manchester United in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on March 25, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by John Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Quiz Quiz! Can you name the starting XI from Michael Carrick's last-ever match as a player?
Pep Guardiola head coach of Manchester City and Spain celebrates the victory after winning the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD6 match between Real Madrid C.F. and Manchester City at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on December 10, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Coaches & Managers Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola could EXIT amid three-year legal battle: report
Ranked! The best left-backs in the world
Player Ranked! The 20 best left-backs in the world
Hansi Flick
Player Manchester City legend open to Barcelona move: report
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe had a transfer window to forget
Player Major Newcastle United vulnerability revealed as Eddie Howe acknowledges team's biggest weakness
Anatoliy Trubin of Benfica celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal with a header with teammates during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD8 match between SL Benfica and Real Madrid C.F. at Estadio do SL Benfica on January 28, 2026 in Lisbon, Portugal.
Competition Chaos! Madness! Champions League game week 8 winners and losers
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 4: during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Chelsea at Etihad Stadium on January 4, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Player Is Matheus Nunes available this weekend? Premier League fitness update on Manchester City full-back
Harry Kane of FC Bayern Munich celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD7 match between FC Bayern München and R. Union Saint-Gilloise at Football Arena Munich on January 21, 2026 in Munich, Germany.
Competition Champions League gameweek 7 winners and losers
Trending
  • Watch AFCON 2025
  • Transfers
  • Interviews
  • Messi
  • Ronaldo
  • EPL
  1. Competition
  2. Premier League

Player ratings: Manchester United 1 - 2 Manchester City

Features
By Seb Stafford-Bloor published 10 December 2017

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Manchester United 1 Manchester City 2

Manchester United 1 Manchester City 2

Manchester City prevailed at a snowy Old Trafford, with goals from David Silva and Nicolas Otamendi either side of a fine Marcus Rashford finish.

Page 1 of 30
Page 1 of 30
David De Gea

David De Gea

Produced his best to deny Sane late in the first-half, but was left helpless when Silva scored from the resulting corner. Made a brilliant save from De Bruyne to prevent City taking a 3-1 lead. FFT rating: 7.

Page 2 of 30
Page 2 of 30
Antonio Valencia

Antonio Valencia

Struggled to make any impression in an attacking sense and had difficulty with City’s movement on his side of the pitch. FFT rating: 6.

Page 3 of 30
Page 3 of 30
Chris Smalling

Chris Smalling

Hardly calamitous, but must share the responsibility for United’s lack of organisation at defensive set-pieces. Not helped by the injury to Rojo. FFT rating: 6.

Page 4 of 30
Page 4 of 30
Marcos Rojo

Marcos Rojo

Embarrassed early by Jesus and replaced at half-time following a nasty clash of heads. FFT rating: 6.

Page 5 of 30
Page 5 of 30
Ashley Young

Ashley Young

Coped better with Sane than most full-backs have this season, but struggled to make an impression beyond the halfway line. FFT rating: 6.

Page 6 of 30
Page 6 of 30
Nemanja Matic

Nemanja Matic

Extremely fortunate not to give away a first-half penalty after dragging Otamendi to the ground and struggled to restrict City’s flow of possession throughout. FFT rating 6.

Page 7 of 30
Page 7 of 30
Ander Herrera

Ander Herrera

Picked in Paul Pogba’s absence, presumably with a brief to be the spanner in City’s works. Did little of note beyond a preposterous dive (for which he was rightly cautioned). Replaced by Mata. FFT rating: 5.

Page 8 of 30
Page 8 of 30
Anthony Martial

Anthony Martial

Given his frequent influence from the bench, a very disappointing start. Got nothing from Walker and fed off scraps. FFT rating: 5.

Page 9 of 30
Page 9 of 30
Marcus Rashford

Marcus Rashford

Did little of any consequence before Delph’s misjudgement allowed him in on goal. Finished expertly to level the game, but then faded out of it again after half-time. FFT rating: 7.

Page 10 of 30
Page 10 of 30
Jesse Lingard

Jesse Lingard

Decent, but without ever threatening to make the same impression he did against Arsenal. Withdrawn for Ibrahimovic on 75 minutes. FFT rating: 6.

Page 11 of 30
Page 11 of 30
Romelu Lukaku

Romelu Lukaku

Played almost no part in the first-half, other than to inadvertently assist Silva for the opening goal. A bad day got worse ten minutes into the second half, when his attempted clearance ricocheted to Otamendi for City’s second. A disaster. FFT rating: 4.

Page 12 of 30
Page 12 of 30
Sub: Victor Lindelof

Sub: Victor Lindelof

Replaced Rojo at half-time and was actually the more reliable of the two. FFT rating: 6.

Page 13 of 30
Page 13 of 30
Sub: Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Sub: Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Replaced Lingard for the final fifteen minutes and had little time to make an impression. Might have come on sooner. FFT rating: 5.

Page 14 of 30
Page 14 of 30
Jose Mourinho

Jose Mourinho

Was certainly more adventurous than expected, but his selection failed to slow down Manchester City's midfield. Was probably too late in introducing Ibrahimovic, too. FFT rating: 5.

Page 15 of 30
Page 15 of 30
Ederson

Ederson

The usual balance of timely sweeping and reliable handling. Got his angles slightly wrong for Rashford’s goal, but made up for that with a terrific double save late in the second-half. FFT rating: 8.

Page 16 of 30
Page 16 of 30
Kyle Walker

Kyle Walker

Defended resiliently and used his pace well to keep Martial in front of him. One of his better big game performances without the ball. FFT rating: 7.

Page 17 of 30
Page 17 of 30
Vincent Kompany

Vincent Kompany

Steady enough in the first forty-five minutes, but left the game injured at half-time. FFT rating: 6.

Page 18 of 30
Page 18 of 30
Nicolas Otamendi

Nicolas Otamendi

Had a share in the blame for Manchester United’s equaliser, but returned to par with a fine instinctive finish to put City back in the lead. FFT rating: 7.

Page 19 of 30
Page 19 of 30
Fabian Delph

Fabian Delph

Guilty of a dreadful error which allowed Rashford to equalise and very nearly gifted United a second with another slip. Looked nervous. FFT rating: 5.

Page 20 of 30
Page 20 of 30
Fernandinho

Fernandinho

The base of a City midfield which controlled possession and initially locked United inside their own half. Moved to centre-back following the injury to Kompany, then back again after Mangala entered. Solid. FFT rating: 7.

Page 21 of 30
Page 21 of 30
Kevin De Bruyne

Kevin De Bruyne

Started from deep, picking up the ball in all sorts of positions and looked the most threatening of City’s midfielders. Drew one superb save from De Gea: FFT rating: 7.

Page 22 of 30
Page 22 of 30
Raheem Sterling

Raheem Sterling

Began the game with a few wriggles into the United box and by linking well with Jesus. Faded as an attacking presence as the match wore on, but still contributed without the ball. FFT rating: 7.

Page 23 of 30
Page 23 of 30
David Silva

David Silva

Certainly not his most flamboyant performance, but was in the right place at the right time to prod City into the lead. Became more important as the game progressed, using the ball intelligently as City chewed the clock down. FFT rating: 7.

Page 24 of 30
Page 24 of 30
Leroy Sane

Leroy Sane

Began, unusually, from the right side of City’s attack and was generally quite peripheral. Neat and tidy at all time, but few pyrotechnics. FFT rating: 6.

Page 25 of 30
Page 25 of 30
Gabriel Jesus

Gabriel Jesus

Started the game extremely well, with one slaloming run in particular knotting up Marcos Rojo. Threatened, but never received the chance he was chasing. Subbed for Mangala after an hour. FFT rating: 6.

Page 26 of 30
Page 26 of 30
Sub: Ilkay Gundogan

Sub: Ilkay Gundogan

Brought on at half-time for the stricken Kompany and with no disruption to City's dominance. FFT rating: 6.

Page 27 of 30
Page 27 of 30
Sub: Eliaquim Mangala

Sub: Eliaquim Mangala

Replaced Jesus to allow Fernandinho to move forward back into midfield. Stable. FFT rating: 6.

Page 28 of 30
Page 28 of 30
Sub: Bernardo Silva

Sub: Bernardo Silva

A very late substitute. Still found time to dance through on De Gea's goal, but saw his effort blocked. FFT rating: 5.

Page 29 of 30
Page 29 of 30
Pep Guardiola

Pep Guardiola

Left Sergio Aguero out, but proven right to do so as City benefitted from the extra man in midfield. Timely substitutes also helped subdue United's efforts to get back into the game. FFT rating: 7.

Page 30 of 30
Page 30 of 30
TOPICS
Manchester United Manchester City
Seb Stafford-Bloor

Seb Stafford-Bloor is a football writer at Tifo Football and member of the Football Writers' Association. He was formerly a regularly columnist for the FourFourTwo website, covering all aspects of the game, including tactical analysis, reaction pieces, longer-term trends and critiquing the increasingly shady business of football's financial side and authorities' decision-making.

Read more
MADRID, SPAIN - DECEMBER 09: Pep Guardiola, head coach of Manchester City, attends his press conference ahead of their UEFA Champions League 2025/26 match against Real Madrid CF at Bernabeu stadium on December 09, 2025, in Madrid, Spain. (Photo By Dennis Agyeman/Europa Press via Getty Images)
Real Madrid nemesis Pep Guardiola extends unique Santiago Bernabeu record with Manchester City
 
 
Man Utd interim boss Michael Carrick
How to watch Man United vs Man City: Live streams, TV coverage, preview for Manchester Derby and Michael Carrick's homecoming
 
 
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 04: Ruben Amorim, Manager of Manchester United, reacts during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford on October 04, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
Crazy Manchester United stat proves Ruben Amorim still has squad mentality concern and reliance on one man
 
 
Manchester United appointed Michael Carrick as their interim head coach
Michael Carrick couldn't have picked a better game to set the tone as Manchester United boss
 
 
Eddie Howe, Manager of Newcastle United, celebrates at full time during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester City at St. James's Park in Newcastle, United Kingdom, on November 22, 2025. (Photo by Michael Driver/MI News/NurPhoto)
Newcastle United favourite reveals 'unbelievable' dressing room faith in Eddie Howe's methods
 
 
Manchester United fans at the Emirates Stadium for their FA Cup third round clash in January 2025
Ruben Amorim's Manchester United legacy summed up in one word as numbers paint contrasting picture
 
 
Latest in Competition
Nottingham Forest's Nikola Milenkovic pulls on the shirt of Crystal Palace's Jean-Philippe Mateta
Why Nottingham Forest vs Crystal Palace could be the most intense Premier League game of the season
 
 
Liverpool flags wave on the Kop as the fans sing 'you'll never walk alone' prior to the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Ipswich Town FC at Anfield on January 25, 2025 in Liverpool, England.
Last minute Premier League tickets! Classic fixtures, title race games and grudge matches with great seat deals available this weekend
 
 
Wolves boss Rob Edwards
How to watch Wolves vs Bournemouth: Live streams, TV coverage, preview for Premier League clash in the Black Country
 
 
Mikel Merino, Viktor Gyokeres, Cristhian Mosquera and Gabriel of Arsenal wait for a corner during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield on August 31, 2025 in Liverpool, England.
Is Leeds vs Arsenal on TV?: Live streams, watch online as Premier League leaders get a chance to put pressure on the challengers
 
 
Everton manager David Moyes applauds the fans at full-time of the Premier League match against West Ham United at Goodison Park in Liverpool, England on 15 March, 2025
How to watch Brighton vs Everton: Live streams, TV coverage as Seagulls look to fly over the Toffees in the Premier League
 
 
BRENTFORD, ENGLAND - JANUARY 19: The FIFA Women's Champions Cup Trophy is pictured during the reveal at Lionel Primary School on January 19, 2026 in Brentford, England.
'Take care of us' Leading Lionesses send clear message to FIFA and Gianni Infantino
 
 
Latest in Features
Joe Cole 2006 World Cup
‘I didn’t actually realise how far out I was – it was a terrible decision to shoot from there really, but I’m glad I made it' Joe Cole on his iconic World Cup goal against Sweden
 
 
Sunderland signed Granit Xhaka this summer and will hope his experience can help them to ensure Premier League survival
‘The captain’s armband looks nice, but you don’t need it. A real leader has the power without the armband’ Granit Xhaka on being named Sunderland skipper
 
 
Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring for Al-Nassr against Al-Wehda in the Saudi Pro League in May 2024.
‘Footballers really are just very normal people, and that’s what I found with him. I had the chance to live and work alongside Cristiano, it was a very pleasant surprise’ Alvaro Gonzalez on what Cristiano Ronaldo is really like off the pitch
 
 
Friday Football Quiz 100
Friday Football Quiz, episode 100: Can you get 100 correct answers?
 
 
Chelsea winger Estevao
How to watch Napoli vs Chelsea: Live streams, TV details, preview as Liam Rosenior's side bids for top-eight Champions League spot
 
 
PSG forward Ousmane Dembele
How to watch PSG vs Newcastle: TV & streaming details for win-and-in Champions League clash
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Sunderland signed Granit Xhaka this summer and will hope his experience can help them to ensure Premier League survival
    1
    ‘The captain’s armband looks nice, but you don’t need it. A real leader has the power without the armband’ Granit Xhaka on being named Sunderland skipper
  2. 2
    ‘I didn’t actually realise how far out I was – it was a terrible decision to shoot from there really, but I’m glad I made it' Joe Cole on his iconic World Cup goal against Sweden
  3. 3
    Is Leeds vs Arsenal on TV?: Live streams, watch online as Premier League leaders get a chance to put pressure on the challengers
  4. 4
    How to watch Wolves vs Bournemouth: Live streams, TV coverage, preview for Premier League clash in the Black Country
  5. 5
    How to watch Brighton vs Everton: Live streams, TV coverage as Seagulls look to fly over the Toffees in the Premier League

FourFourTwo is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About FourFourTwo
  • Advertise with us
  • Worldwide
  • How to pitch to FourFourTwo

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...