Magical Mancity thrash Manchester United 3:0

Erling Haaland struck twice and Phil Foden added another to give Manchester City a dominant derby day victory at neighbours Manchester United, with the 3-0 win at Old Trafford taking the defending champions up to third, two points behind Premier League leaders Tottenham.

United had lost six of the last eight matches against their local rivals, including a 2-1 FA Cup final defeat in City’s treble campaign last term to match United’s 1999 achievement.

“Amazing. A fantastic win and the game was incredible and the team, everything,” Haaland said.

“It is definitely one of the best wins,” added midfielder Bernardo Silva. “To win 3-0 away with this crowd, I think it is definitely one of the best performances.”

Haaland, whose 11 league goals this season equals United’s total goal output, converted a penalty in the 26th minute when VAR showed Rasmus Højlund had pulled down Rodri at a free kick.

The Norway striker calmly slotted the spot kick into the bottom right corner with what was remarkably City’s first penalty awarded in 27 Premier League trips to Old Trafford.

City, who had lost their previous two league games on the road, dominated shell-shocked United in the second half and their bulldozer of a forward netted again shortly after halftime when Bernardo Silva made an overlapping run and then dinked a pass to the back post that a rising Haaland headed home.

Phil Foden added the third from close range in the 80th after goalkeeper André Onana pushed away a shot from Rodri that landed at the feet of Haaland for an easy cross to Foden. The goal sent many frustrated United fans to the exits early.

Hojlund had a terrific chance to make amends for his costly foul in a first-half breakaway but the 20-year-old was jostled off the ball. United midfielder Scott McTominay’s shot late in the first half was then punched over the bar by Éderson.

But City had numerous near misses of their own, including a header by Haaland that Onana saved just before the interval.

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