I rewatched Manchester City’s win over Manchester United & noticed key Erik ten Hag decision

Manchester City began the new season by lifting silverware, even if their victory over Manchester United won’t cause too much giddiness around the Etihad.

The Blues had looked destined to lose Saturday’s derby until Bernardo Silva’s dramatic 89th-minute header cancelled out Alejandro Garnacho’s opener. It meant penalties were needed to decide the winner at Wembley and Jonny Evans’ missed spot-kick ultimately proved costly as Manuel Akanji slotted home to hand City the win.

Our reporter Michael Plant was at Wembley reporting on the game, but as always with live matching coverage, small details can go unnoticed at the time, especially in the frantic and chaotic atmosphere inside the ground. Having watched the game back, he’s picked out five things that passed him by on the day.

Ten Hag got his subs right

After a relatively quiet start to the match, things burst into life in the final 20 minutes at Wembley. Bruno Fernandes registered the first shot on target in the 69th minute, and two goals quickly followed.

It was United who were the more assertive side in those latter stages, and throughout the second half. It was also noticeable that there was more of a threat after Ten Hag’s quadruple substitution in the 58th minute. That was when Garnacho entered the fray and reminded everyone of his undeniable talent. He caused repeated issues for City in the final half an hour and, of course, scored United’s only goal of the afternoon. 

But Scott McTominay, who was introduced at the same time, also carried a real threat with his runs in behind. It was a marked improvement on Mason Mount’s minimal contribution in the opening hour.

Casemiro hope

Last season, United’s Achilles heel was their inability to stop opposition attacks building through the middle. Too often there was acres of space available for opponents to freely advance into, and much of that was down to the sluggish response from Casemiro.

But Saturday’s display was vastly improved and offers hope for the upcoming season, especially with United’s transfer search for a new holding midfielder going a little stale.

Casemiro’s defensive contributions didn’t go unnoticed at the time on Saturday, but what did evade my attention was the sheer number of them, and his excellent starting position which helped to snuff out City attacks. Even Pep Guardiola referenced the impact of the former Real Madrid man after the game, and it’s no exaggeration to claim Casemiro’s performances could make or break United’s season.

The ‘Omar Berrada derby’

As United and City trudged up the Wembley steps to collect their winners’ and losers’ medals, there was plenty of last-minute typing, editing and proof-reading in the press box - and a few post-match videos being recorded.

It might have gone unnoticed then that the United players shook hands with several new Ineos employees as they received their medals, with Sir Dave Brailsford, Omar Berrada, Dan Ashworth and Jason Wilcox all sat in the plush Wembley seats. They were very much front and centre ahead of the new season and flicking to that cohort in the stands could be a regular occurrence in 2024/25.

Berrada's attendance was particularly noteworthy given his first match as a United employee came against the side he opted to leave earlier this year. There could have even been a few awkward head nods as City’s victorious players shuffled past.

O’Reilly’s mixed debut

Guardiola said after the game that Nico O’Reilly ‘will improve’ after his underwhelming first competitive start, although the City boss was keen to reference that a Manchester derby at Wembley was always going to be a baptism of fire for the teenager.

On a rewatch, it was notable just how many heavy touches there were from the youngster and how often he ceded possession. That’s to be expected, in many senses, and there were some bright moments and nice interplay from the academy graduate.

But O’Reilly definitely lacked the composure of fellow midfielders Mateo Kovacic and James McAtee, and it does raise questions about whether he is ready to deputise for Rodri this season.

Rodri-reliant City

That nicely brings us on to City’s missing Spaniard, who is set to return to training this week following his extended post-Euros break.

While City’s midfield was competent on Saturday, without the influential Rodri there was definitely something missing. City didn’t control the middle as they usually do, the build-up from the back was a little disjointed, and they couldn’t utilise those regular long balls into the channels that Rodri habitually demonstrates.

It remains a problem for City ahead of the new term, and finding adequate back-up for the midfielder is becoming a must, especially given he has made several comments about needing a rest in recent months.