Coach deployed Nemanja Matic, Ander Herrera and Marouane Fellaini as defensive block – but City simply skirted round it
Two contrasting philosophies, a clash of styles, possession against directness, attack against defence – all that discussion and, in the end, very little of it meant anything. Manchester City fundamentally are just better than United.
Much of the pre-match talk had surrounded whether José Mourinho would send his side out to attack, given how his own side look better chasing games and the lingering suspicion that City, impressive as their defensive record appears, can be got at if teams could get through their press. Which is fine but, as Mike Tyson said, everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.
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