Several Manchester United players did the shirt proud yesterday as they beat Manchester City 2-1 in the Manchester Derby to move within one point behind their local rivals.
Even though there were a number of standout performances, IΒ want to pick out the defensive duo of Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Tyrell Malacia.
π home wins in a row.
π₯ ERIK. π. HAG. π₯ pic.twitter.com/0zORwmDD0u
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 14, 2023
In the backline, I thought both full-backs performed brilliantly as they not only helped restrict Pep Guardiola’s side to just one short on target, but they also effectively nullified the wide players of City, such as Phil Foden, Riyad Mahrez and Jack Grealish, even though the former Aston Villa man scored.
Malacia stuck to his task well as he did not allow Mahrez many opportunities to cut inside on his favoured left-foot, and the Dutchman also showed his determination as he won all three of his tackles and he made eight recoveries in what was a brilliant defensive display from the left-back, according to Fotmob. Malacia also offered support in attack whenever he could but he was also was aware of how dangerous Mahrez could be so he got back and did his defensive duties.
ππ΄ππΆπ»πΈπππΈπ πΌπ π΄ pic.twitter.com/SpWPGzJOpp
— Tyrell Malacia (@TyrellMalaciia) January 14, 2023
Wan-Bissaka, making only his fifth Premier League start of the season [Transfermarkt], continued his excellent form in recent weeks as he hardly gave Phil Foden and later Jack Grealish a sniff.
Even though, he could have done better on the back post with the header that Grealish scored, Wan-Bissaka put in another assured defensive display as according to Fotmob, the right-back won 75% of his tackles and he won all seven of his aerial ground duels, which showed how much of a tough afternoon he gave Foden and Grealish, who have been key to City’s attack this season, with Foden scoring 7 goals in the league so far in the league [Transfermarkt], and Grealish has been in good form in recent weeks as before his goal in the Manchester derby, the Englishman grabbed two assists away to Leeds and scored the winner at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea [Transfermarkt].
We DO talk about @B_Fernandes8! π #MUFC || #MUNMCI
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 14, 2023
Wan-Bissaka also played his part offensively as well because during the second half, he did a brilliant dribble that helped drive United forward, including one where he got away from his man to find Casemiro, who then played in Bruno Fernandes to score United’s first goal of the game.
Both Malacia and Wan-Bissaka have both deserved their plaudits in recents weeks because neither have complaint when not given an opportunity and instead they have just got their head down and worked hard, which is what should be expected of every Man United player.