Manchester City beat Manchester United in the Premier League despite being a man down for most of the game
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 13: Erling Braut Haaland of Manchester City celebrates with teammates after scoring their side's first goal following a VAR review during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on September 13, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey - Danehouse/Getty Images)
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Manchester City stunned Manchester United at Old Trafford by winning despite being a man down for most of the match. The Blues were up against it from the moment Bruno Fernandes tricked Phil Foden into lashing out at him after barely 20 minutes.
United didn't really make the most of their advantage, even if Marcus Rashford hit the post from a free-kick in the first half and then Kobbie Mainoo rattled the woodwork after the break. City dug in and were rewarded when Erling Haaland swept home; the goal was originally disallowed for offside but then given after a VAR review.
Enzo Fernandez could have ended the contest when he saw his shot come off the inside of the post, and City ended the game as the stronger team. They now have four wins from their opening four games, and are eight points ahead of United already.
Here are the City player ratings from the Manchester Evening News.
Donnarumma: United didn't really put him under any pressure until he made a super late save from Mbeumo. 8
Nunes: Excellent from start to finish, making strong runs and giving nothing away at the back. 9
Guehi: Very good throughout, never being rushed by United attackers and passing out. 8
Dias: Kept everything calm when City could have been panicked and had little to worry about all afternoon. 8
Gvardiol: A few nervy moments in the first half but dealt with Mbuemo well and surged forward for the goal. 7
Anderson: That's what £116m gets you. He grew into the game and was bossing it by the end. 8
Fernandez: Decent in the first half getting back and then terrific all over the pitch in the second. 8
Cherki: Started okay but moved out wide once Foden went off and was sacrificed for a natural winger at half-time. 6
Foden: You can argue if it's a red card and Fernandes should have had some punishment, but you just can't kick out like that at Old Trafford 20 minutes into a derby. 3
Semenyo: Kept the ball well and was always an outlet with his pace on the left. 7
Haaland: Had silly people talking about his touches after the first half and ended up with the winner again. 7
Substitutes
Ndiaye (for Cherki, 46) Took a few minutes to settle but was brilliant from then on winning the ball and keeping it. 8
O'Reilly (for Fernandez, 82) No time 6
Not used: Rulli, Ait-Nouri, Lewis, Khusanov, O'Reilly, Bouaddi, Kovacic, Allan