United were handed a major advantage in the 22nd minute when Phil Foden was sent off for kicking out at Bruno Fernandes. Despite playing against 10 men for the majority of the match, however, United failed to make their numerical advantage count, with the sides level at half-time.
United started the second half positively, enjoying more possession and registering more shots, but they struggled to find a way through City's defence. On the hour mark, Haaland broke the deadlock, although the goal sparked controversy after the striker appeared to be offside. Following a lengthy VAR review, the goal was allowed to stand.
United pushed for an equaliser but couldn't create many clear-cut chances as City defended their lead. Their best chance came deep into stoppage time when Bryan Mbeumo's close-range effort was brilliantly saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma.
There was a fiery start to the Manchester derby, as Phil Foden was dismissed in the 23rd minute after kicking out at Bruno Fernandes, after being provoked by the Portuguese midfielder who committed a similar offence.
Speaking after the game, Alan Shearer gave his opinion on the red card, and believed he was heavily influenced by Fernandes' theatrics as he was writing on the ground.
On The Rest Is Football, he said, "I didn’t agree with either of them to be honest,’ Shearer said on The Rest Is Football, when asked about the two major talking points from a hotly contested match.
"But I thought the way Bruno Fernandes went down was pathetic. He helped get Foden off and yes he’s kicked out at him a little bit but Bruno Fernandes has also kicked Phil Foden.
"If Phil Foden reacts in the same way as Bruno Fernandes did then both get red cards. So for me either both are red or neither of them are.
"You say to Phil Foden, look you’ve been red carded for kicking out. Now, whether it was a hard one or whether it was a soft one, it was a soft one like Bruno Fernandes’ was.
"He’s kicked out, so he’s stupid OK? But Bruno Fernandes has done the same thing so for me without doubt they both should’ve been a red card if Michael Oliver thinks Phil Foden’s is a red card."
Looking back on the incident, it's fair to say that while Foden definitely deserved to be sent off, Fernandes probably should have been yellow-carded for his little kick before the Englishman's outburst.
Manchester United failed to capitalise on their man advantage and disappointed on the day, but the fanbase that aimed much of its criticism at the club captain is lazy.
Fernandes did not have a stellar performance on the day and perhaps warranted a substitution, but we all saw why Carrick left him on the pitch, playing an excellent ball to Bryan Mbeumo, who probably should have scored from close range but was denied by an excellent save.
He also played a great cross to Diogo Dalot early in the game, but Dalot couldn't control it. He found Marcus Rashford with an excellent pass, but Rashford's heavy touch allowed Donnarumma to collect the ball.
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