Manchester United 1 v 1 Manchester City
Old Trafford, Manchester
10th September 2005
This year's Manchester Derby will be remembered pretty much the same as the last one. Last year it ended 0 - 0 despite Man Utd firing 65 crosses across the box, and this year it ended 1 - 1, with United again dominating possession but failing to put the finishing touches to moves, and failing to kill off the game.
Man City's brilliant tactic whenever they play anyone it seems is to play everyone on their own box - perhaps its just like the pundits say, that the team embodies what Pearce was as a player. The only problem is that as a player Pearce was a boring defender, with little technical ability and relying solely on 'guts.' It doesn't make for a pretty team, and nor would it have made for an effective one had it not been for their lucky break that led to an equaliser some 14 minutes from time.
United had struggled to find their feet and fluency in the start of the first-half, perhaps because talisman Roy Keane was left on the bench ahead of this week's big games against Villareal and Liverpool. Needless to say, Rooney was still at the top of his game, despite what happens at Sven's camps, Fergie always seems to manage to get the best out of him.
United's goal came in first-half injury time. Scholes's attacking free-kick was flicked at by Van Nistelrooy. calamity James saved, but could only push the ball into Ruud's path, and he finished emphatically.
A few half-chances for Ruud and Park Ji Sung followed, but United failed to press home their dominance.
On 75 minutes City grabbed a scrappy goal as the ball was fired into the box and Barton managed to touch it past van der Sar. After that one attack they decided to sit back again, happy with the one point. Disgraceful.
United will beat City this season next time round - maybe City will decide to play football next time?
Man Utd: Van der Sar, O'Shea, Ferdinand, Silvestre, Heinze, Fletcher (Keane 78), Smith (Richardson 87), Scholes, Rooney, van Nistelrooy, Park (Giggs 81).
