January.

Manchester City vs Manchester United

FA Cup 3rd Round.
Location: Etihad Stadium.
Match report.

As a United fan I was absolutely dreading this game. Thoughts of the humiliating 6-1 still lingered in my mind and I didn't fancy our chances away from home, against a side who constantly dominate even without a full strength side. The build up to the game was surrounded with speculation: would City thrash us again, or could United pull it out of the bag? I personally didn't fancy our chances. 

Not long before kick off, it was announced that United legend, Paul Scholes, would come out of retirement and return to the squad. Finally, we had some sort of solution to our questionable midfield - however was Scholes the answer? Yes he's a good player, but we need fresh legs and the stamina of youth. I'm still to pass judgement on his return. 

The match really was a tale of two halves. United managed to snatch an early lead through Wayne Rooney's 9th minute goal. However, Kompany's departure signalled the beginning of the end for Mancini's side. Cities captain was shown a red card in the 11th minute for a two-footed tackle on Luis Nani. The decision seemed quite harsh, and a yellow would have been more deserved, as this huge decision left the game somewhat tarnished. After constant pressure from United, Danny Welbeck scored the 2nd for the away side, leaving a 10 man City side disheartened, yet still determined. Sloppy play from United leads to two yellow cards in a matter of minutes for Welbeck and Nani. However the tide soon turns when City's Aleksandar Kolarov brings down Welbeck in the box and United are awarded a penalty. Rooney steps up to the spot and delivers a decent shot, which is saved by Costel Pantilimon, however he manages to get the rebound with a head to the ball.  The half comes to a close with United clearly on top and City appearing to unravel. I actually dared to dream of revenge for the dreaded 6-1 defeat at Old Trafford. 


The second half proves to be polar opposite to that of the first. United come out with a complacent attitude and City are clearly fired up - unwilling to lose at home against their greatest rivals. Within two minutes of being on the pitch Patrice Evra is booked for a foul on Micha Richards and City are awarded a free kick. Kolarov hits the target and City are now riled for a come back. The next 10 minutes prove to be pretty even between  the two sides, with United seeing slightly more action and attempts on goal. In the 58th minute Nani is replaced by Scholes and United fans wait in anticipation to see what the old legend can bring to the game. After only 6 minutes of Sholes being on the pitch, Sergio Aguero manages to find the bottom left hand corner; seconds after Anders Lindegaard makes a fantastic save from another of Aguero's oncoming shots. The pace of the game is now clearly with City, whose fans are urging them to bag an equalizer. After a nail-biting 25 minutes, United manage to cling to their lead and knock City out of the FA cup.


A game that promised to be full of drama did not disappoint. While United won the game, City managed to retain their pride, as they came back from 3-0 down with 10 men to hold their rivals to a nail biting finish. As a United fan, I was happy with the result, but not with the game. We somehow lost our momentum and didn't seize opportunities when they arose. Never turn your back on Manchester City, they have strength and determination that may not have won them this game, but will lead them to within touching distance of the Premier League title.