Man United 2-0 Man City: “Delighted” Wayne Rooney Gives His Verdict

Wayne Rooney was very impressed with what he saw as Manchester United beat Manchester City 2-0 at Old Trafford on Sunday.

The result saw Michael Carrick’s second spell as Man United interim head coach get off to a perfect start, as well as boosting United’s hopes of achieving their target of Champions League qualification.

Goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu delivered a first win in five games for United, who had a further three goals disallowed for offside.

The match stats reflect that United were good value for their victory. Despite City dominating possession with 68.1%, United had four more attempts and seven times as many shots on target as City.

Match stats: Man United 2-0 Man City

Stat	Man Utd	Man City
Possession	31.9%	68.1%
Shots on target	7	1
Shot attempts	11	7
Fouls	13	8
Yellow cards	2	3
Red cards	0	0
Corner kicks	1	6

Wayne Rooney “delighted” to see “United DNA” against City

Rooney, who is Man United’s all-time leading goalscorer, very much liked what he saw at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Speaking in his role as a pundit for BBC Sport, Rooney said: “Obviously I’m absolutely delighted. I think the team spirit, the work rate, the energy, everything about that team was fantastic today. I’m absolutely buzzing for the players, for the fans – the fans have been starved of that over the last few years. I know it’s only one performance but I think everyone could see how exciting that team can be.

“You hear everyone, especially us as ex-players, talk about the United DNA and that has just shown what it is. Work rate off the ball, wingers getting back, filling in and helping out the full-backs.

“And the goals; crosses in the box and desire to get on the end of it. The first goal, counter-attack, sitting in and breaking fast – that is the United DNA and that was what we’ve been missing. And hopefully this continues.

“The work rate, the shape, the organisation of Manchester United today, the desire to get back and double up and help your team-mates out and tackle and run without the ball, as quickly backwards as you do forwards. I think that was really evident today.”

Pep Guardiola says United were “the better team” against City

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola admitted after Saturday’s game that his team were soundly beaten.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Guardiola said: “The better team won. They were better. When a team is better you have to accept it. They had the energy we didn’t have, so congratulations.

“They had the chances at the end and of course the goals we conceded were poor. We didn’t control the game, but in general we have to analyse the performance as a whole and they were better.”

Saturday’s win for United was their 81st over City, coming in the 198th Manchester derby. United now lead City by 81 wins to 62 in the all-time Manchester derby head-to-head.