September 14, 2025 – Manchester, England
Manchester City took control of the Premier League’s first Manchester derby of the season, outclassing rivals Manchester United with a commanding performance at the Etihad Stadium.
Phil Foden opened the scoring in the first half with a well-timed header, giving City a deserved 1-0 lead at the break. United, struggling to create chances, relied heavily on Bruno Fernandes for creativity but rarely troubled City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
The second half belonged to Erling Haaland. The Norwegian striker doubled City’s lead in the 53rd minute after latching onto a clever pass from Jeremy Doku, calmly lifting the ball over United keeper Altay Bayindir. Just minutes later, Haaland nearly added a third, but his effort struck the post before being cleared away.
United looked out of ideas, with defensive lapses almost gifting City further opportunities. Ruben Amorim’s side pressed for a response, but City’s backline, with Haaland even contributing defensively, snuffed out any real threat.
At 2-0 down by the hour mark, United faced an uphill battle, while City appeared determined to reassert themselves after a stuttering start to the season. Pep Guardiola’s men controlled possession, dictated the tempo, and repeatedly carved open United’s defense.
The result, if it stands, would hand City a much-needed boost as they seek to reclaim their Premier League crown, while leaving United still searching for form under their new coach.
