At 23:30 on September 14th Beijing time, the 4th round of the Premier League featured the Manchester derby, where Manchester City, having lost twice in a row, faced Manchester United at home.

In the first half, Haaland’s low shot caused danger, De Bruyne suddenly moved to the right wing and made a sharp breakthrough; his cross was blocked but on the second attempt he assisted Foden’s header to break the deadlock. Manchester City then launched a counterattack, forcing Manchester United to push forward. Shevchenko missed a good chance, and City led 1-0 at halftime. In the second half, De Bruyne assisted Haaland’s chip shot to double the lead. Haaland then missed an open goal, but Donnarumma made a fantastic save to keep the goal intact. Bernardo Silva assisted Haaland’s one-on-one goal to complete his brace.

In the end, Manchester City won 3-0 over Manchester United, ending their two-game losing streak in the league.

Manchester City vs Manchester United,Guardiola deployed a 4-1-4-1 formation with Haaland leading the attack, supported behind by Bernardo Silva, Reyna, Foden, and De Bruyne forming the midfield four. Rodri played as the lone defensive midfielder, while Kusunov, Ruben Dias, Gvardiol, and O’Reilly made up the back four. Donnarumma made his City debut, with a starting lineup valued at 771 million euros.;Amorim set up a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Shevchenko upfront, backed by Amad and Mbomo. Doucoure, Bruno Fernandes, Ugart, and Mazraoui composed the midfield four, while Luke Shaw, De Ligt, and Juro formed the back three. Baindel was the goalkeeper, with a starting lineup valued at 428 million euros..

In this match, both teams had key players absent, but Cunha’s absence impacted Manchester United more significantly. Despite recent struggles, City’s best dribbler De Bruyne shifted from left wing to right wing, delivering a sharp breakthrough and two crosses that assisted Foden’s header to easily break the deadlock and change the game’s course. It must be said that City’s setup for counterattacks is top-tier. United, trailing, had to push forward, making it easier for City. Haaland’s long legs were a lethal counterattack weapon, efficient against weaker opponents, though he missed an open goal and failed to secure a hat-trick. Haaland struggles in tight battles; when holding the ball with his back to goal, he was outmuscled by United’s young player Juro, proving he is not a battering ram but more like a large dagger. Haaland scored twice this match. Besides De Bruyne, another player deserving praise is the “world-class goalkeeper” Donnarumma, who justified his high price with crucial saves, decisive and steady interventions that expanded City’s defensive coverage.

Ultimately, Manchester City’s 3-0 victory over Manchester United ended their two-game losing streak in the Premier League and halted their decline. Manchester United desperately need Cunha; without him, they are a mid-to-lower table Premier League team. Amorim’s position as coach remains precarious, as his main tactics lack substance and the lineup is always a 3-4-2-1.

Throughout the match, Manchester City’s possession was only 45%. When City counterattacks, it’s like the Blue Moon is airborne, leaving the Red Devils nowhere to hide. City had 13 shots, United 12, so the difference wasn’t large, but City had 6 shots on target compared to United’s 2. To reiterate, De Bruyne’s brilliant breakthrough and assist to Foden’s header was the key moment that changed the game, turning it from a battle of attrition into a counterattack. Honestly, City’s ability to break down defenses is seriously lacking now. Haaland, who scored twice this match, is not a striker suited for dense defensive lines. Guardiola should rely more on De Bruyne, as he is the rare creative spark in City’s attack these days.