Photo by Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images
Photo by Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images
Manchester United suffered defeat in the derby to Manchester City and some eyebrow-raising stats emerged from the match.
If the stats from Manchester United’s 1-0 defeat to Manchester City were eyebrow-raising, though, then the VAR controversy was jaw-dropping.
The decision to allow Erling Haaland’s goal will dominate headlines around the match. Lisandro Martinez spoke out against VAR, as did manager Michael Carrick.
A deep dive into the statistics proves that there were some very impressive performers for United on the day. And… some not-so-impressive performers.
Manchester United v Manchester City - Premier League 2026/27
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
Getty Images
General match stats
First-half stats:
Manchester United Match stats Manchester City
49 Possession 51
0.16 Expected goals (xG) 0.09
5 Shots 2
0 Big chances 0
18 Duels won 24
Second-half stats:
Manchester United Match stats Manchester City
62 Possession 38
0.80 Expected goals (xG) 0.90
11 Shots 4
1 Big chances 2
28 Duels won 28
Kobbie Mainoo’s midfield masterclass
The midfield battle was a hot talking point pre-match because both Manchester club have been rebuilding over the summer.
But it was Kobbie Mainoo who was the best midfielder on the pitch, and the stats prove it.
Mainoo had 83 touches of the ball, more than any other player on the pitch. He boasted a remarkable 97% pass accuracy, completing 65 of his 67 passes.
On top of that, Mainoo created three chances, more than any other player, and made 11 line-breaking passes in the process. He didn’t deserve to lose.
Which Man United player covered the most ground?
Stats provider FotMob supplied running statistics from Old Trafford, and the numbers reflected positively on Patrick Dorgu and Bryan Mbeumo.
Dorgu covered 11.6km, the most of any United player and second only to Elliot Anderson. He also made a match-high 15 sprints, tied with Mbeumo.
Not only did Mbeumo match Dorgu for sprints, but he also spent 23% of the match running, more than any other player. He covered 2.4km while running out of a total 10.7km.
Man United’s best and worst duellers vs Man City
If United were going to take any points against City, they needed players willing to bring the fight at Old Trafford.
Once again, it was Dorgu who topped the duel charts with seven duels won out of 12, a success rate of 58%.
READ MORE: Man Utd vs Man City player ratings, Mainoo didn’t deserve to lose but 4/10 teammate is clueless
Youri Tielemans boasted the best duel success rate with 75%, winning six of his eight duels.
However, Mbeumo leaves Old Trafford having won just 27% of his duels. United’s winger lost 12 duels against City.