Manchester United 4-2 Manchester City: Five thoughts

1. Ashley Young

Undoubtedly the stand-out performer in the derby. Two assists and a goal, as well as a performance that saw him combine a tireless work-rate with some crucial defensive cover for Blind. What a turnaround for the player who last season, along with Fellaini (see no.2), defined United's flaws and weak-spirit under David Moyes.

2. Fellaini

On that note, it appears as though Moyes knew what he was doing all along! The most improved United player ever? I personally can't think of a player who has gone from useless to undroppable from one season to the next. On current form, he is perhaps our strongest and most unique asset as defenses just don't have an answer for his strength and power. It feels a little like he's become our Michael Carrick in the attacking area of the pitch - creating chances, releasing the wingers (his link-up play with Young was sublime) while controlling the flow of play. Yet another excellent and crucial performance from Fellaini.

3. Unlikely goalscorers

Our four goalscorers in the biggest game of the season were Young, Fellaini, Mata and Smalling...all four of whom, up until a couple of months ago, have struggled to even get into van Gaal's side, let alone the scoresheet. What an amazing transformation from these guys - especially for Young, Fellaini and Mata - who now all seem totally worthy of their place and the praise they receive on a regular basis.





4. Self Belief



The Telegraph wrote a fairly accurate piece today highliting the 11 reasons for United's revival. Many of the points have been covered in my blog in recent weeks - from Carrick's return from injury and Fellaini and Young's fine form, to the faith LVG is showing in Mata at the expense of Di Maria - however perhaps the most signigicant point they raise is the self belief that has been rediscovered for, arguably, the first time since Sir Alex departed in 2013. For the first time in two years United appear confident moving the ball around and coming at teams with flowing football and dangerous, meaningful attacking play, while also being able to hound and hassle the opposition off the ball. It's no wonder that we hold an average possession of 60.3% in the league this season, narrowly behind City who are top.

5. Slow and steady wins the race

On the 9th March, United were knocked out of the FA Cup by Arsenal. Our last opportunity for silverware evaporated with Wellbeck's winner at Old Trafford that gloomy Monday evening, and United fans (along with journalists, pundits and the entire English football-watching nation) were left shaking their heads after witnessing yet another poor result and awful performance - a perfect representation of United's dire season up until that stage.



Fast forward a month and three days later, United are currently third in the table, on a run of six straight league wins, having beaten Tottenham, Liverpool and Citeh in recent weeks, while playing the sort of football we became accustomed to under Sir Alex's most successful sides. Suddenly, when it matters the most, the passion appears to be reinstalled in our players while van Gaal's faith in certain individuals has seen him escape his infamous tinkering ways and play virtually unchanged teams (and formations) in the last four games. What a difference a month makes.



And how about our noisy neighbours? Back then City were firmly in second place, four points clear of Arsenal and were still in the Champions League. Five straight away defeats later...



So ladies and gents, the moral of the story is this: it's always best to ignore the bragging and previous achievements of others, like our friend the tortoise did when racing the hare, instead simply concentrating on our own slow and steady pace. The football has not been pretty for large parts of the season, but while City failed to see the threat and became lazy, United were there to capitalise on the complacency of the "sleeping hare".