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EPL: MANCHESTER UNITED SLUMP TO 1-2 DEFEAT TO MAN CITY

Kelechi Iheanacho Celebrates the second goal


Pep Guardiola came out on top in the Manchester derby at Old Trafford as he renewed hostilities with managerial nemesis Jose Mourinho.

Pep Guardiola's side took the points after an outstanding first-half display, led by the inspired showing of the Belgian Mourinho dumped while at Chelsea

City threatened to humiliate United in a dominant first-half display, racing to a 2-0 lead through goals from Kevin De Bruyne and Kelechi Iheanacho.

But a mistake by City keeper Claudio Bravo, making his debut following his move from Barcelona, allowed Zlatan Ibrahimovic to pull a goal back for United.

Mourinho threw on young striker Marcus Rashford after the break, and the 18-year-old had the ball in the net, but the goal was disallowed after coming off Ibrahimovic, who was offside.


Reuters Bagged the opener: De Bruyne celebrates putting City in front

Bravo, brought in to replace England keeper Joe Hart, endured a jittery debut and was lucky not to concede a penalty and be sent off for a reckless lunge on Wayne Rooney after the Chilean had lost control of the ball inside his own area.

De Bruyne nearly made it 3-1 to City when he burst through on goal in the second-half, but his shot cannoned off the inside of David De Gea's near post and scurried across the goal-line to safety.

It mattered not, as City held on to preserve their 100 per cent start to the season and consign Mourinho to his first defeat as United boss.

City show depth of attacking options

The enforced absence of star striker Sergio Aguero, serving the first of a three-game ban for violent conduct, was seen as a major disadvantage for City.

But Pep Guardiola showed the range of attacking options he has at his disposal by picking young forward Kelechi Iheanacho to lead the line.

The teenager justified his manager's decision with an assist and a goal, before coming off early in the second half for tactical reasons. City proved they are not reliant on Aguero.
Mourinho got his team selection wrong

With only 24 minutes gone, and United trailing 1-0, Mourinho instructed Martial, Mata, Rashford and later Herrera to warm up, knowing he had picked the wrong starting-line up and change was needed.

Selecting Mkhitaryan and Lingard for their first competitive starts under him backfired, the former looking like he was still feeling the effects of a rib injury, while Lingard, making his return after injury, was also off the pace, although they were by no means alone, with none of United's players justifying their selection.

Marcus Rashford should have started, his introduction after the break bringing fresh impetus to United's play.

De Bruyne comes back to haunt Mourinho
Troublesome: De Bruyne had an excellent first half, scoring and making another

Not deemed good enough by Mourinho at Chelsea, De Bruyne came back to haunt his former boss, scoring City's opener and having a hand in their second, after his angled shot came back off a a post, into the path of Iheanacho for the simplest of finishes.

De Bruyne was afforded so much freedom by United and took full advantage, punishing United for their slack defending and lack of focus at the back.

De Bruyne should have claimed his second goal and made it 3-1 deep into the second-half, but his low shot struck the inside of David De Gea's near post in a let-off for United.

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