Manchester United Paint the Town Red
The quasi-documentary 24 Hour Party People caught the essence of Manchester.
Including the credo:
If you have to choose between the truth and the legend, print the legend.
No matter what Manchester City thinks, United is still the legend.
True, the Citizens had bragging rights for a four-match run, but the blue moon has now been eclipsed.
The Red sun shone brightly this day, as Old Trafford turned into a fortress once again. United were a side well in form and ultimately gained the upper hand with a 4-2 triumph.
Derbies are supposed to be intense, and this one didn't disappoint. The entertainment value easily met expectations.
The Citizens intially thought it would be business as usual at Old Trafford, as Sergio Agüero opened the scoring in the eighth minute:
Seems like Agüero always turns the dial up to 11 when Manchester United is the quarry.
Then came the van Gaal’s Midas touch for United:
Now the old Route 1 long-ball tactics are paying off. A bit of luck on the bounce didn't hurt, perhaps, but they all count as one.
It definitely lifted United, and soon came the second.
Marouane Fellaini’s Afro must finally look appealing to the Old Trafford faithfuls. David Moyes is now being praised for signing him, but isn’t that a bit too late, dudes?
Meanwhile, it looks like City defender Gaël Clichy might want to think about letting his 'do grow out. He didn't miss that cross by much. That's what happens, though, when he's on the weak side, being mesmerized by the happenings on the strong side.
Just as ironically, it was Moyes’ second signing -- Juan Mata -- who netted a third for the Red Devils:
Offside it was, but when you're having a bad day, nothing goes your way.
However, the fourth United score needed neither luck nor wrong calls. It was just brilliant football:
Manchester United haven't played like this in ages. Seems like the signs of life they've been showing weren't signaling a false dawn.
City did snare a consolation goal lateer on, but it'll only count at Agüero's next contract negotiation:
Even the players didn't celebrate this one.
So, Manchester United are banging hard and breaking bad.