Pep Guardiola’s side were at their slick best to cruise to a 3-1 victory at Old Trafford, producing a performance which has been widely hailed by the journalists in attendance.
In particular, the City boss’ tactical approach has earned him plenty of praise, though there is also appreciation for those out on the pitch, who executed the game plan perfectly in a mesmerising first half.
READ | Derby display delights Guardiola
READ | ‘Great result, but we missed changes,’ says Bernardo
So, let’s see what’s been written…
Match reaction
Manchester Evening News: How Pep Guardiola’s Man City gave Manchester United a tactical and technical master-class
Stuart Brennan reports: “Pep Guardiola’s tactical master-class destroyed Manchester United to set Manchester City on the road to Wembley again.
“The Blues turned the tables entirely on that damaging league defeat – just 30 days earlier – to stamp their class on the first leg of this Carabao Cup semi-final.
“Bernardo Silva , Riyad Mahrez and an Andreas Pereira own goal did the damage, but such was City’s superiority it could have been twice as many.”
BBC: Superb City overwhelm United in semi-final first leg
Writes Chris Bevan: “Guardiola‘s line-up left many observers scratching their heads before kick-off but his system, a fluid 4-4-2 that saw De Bruyne, Bernardo, Mahrez and Raheem Sterling change position at will, worked like a dream.
“In December, City had no answer United’s raw speed but here it was the invention and improvisation of the visitors’ attack that did the damage, time and time again.
“City have made a habit of winning at Old Trafford in recent years but their sparkling first-half performance was impressive, even by their high standards.”
The Guardian: Shape-shifting City almost disappear from sight as United grandees look on
Jonathan Liew reports: “You can’t hit what you can’t see. On a mild but riotous night at Old Trafford Manchester City served up a beating as swaggering and dominant as any they have managed at this ground.
“In front of the grandees of Red Manchester – Wayne Rooney, Sir Alex Ferguson, Ryan Giggs – City executed a coup de grâce born of pure disrespect, United taking the best part of an hour to work out just what, exactly, was going on out there.”
ESPN: Manchester City cruise past Man United with 8/10 performance from Bernardo Silva
Writes James Capps: “The visitors showed great discipline to ride the waves of a bright United start before taking total control and bossing proceedings for the majority of the first half.
“The City passing machine clicked into gear after the 10-minute mark and United simply had no answer for the movement of Pep Guardiola‘s classy four-man forward line.”
Sky Sports: Fernandinho is the leader of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City now
Adam Bate’s analysis: “No Manchester City player regained possession of the ball more times than Fernandinho. Nobody on the pitch put in more tackles.
“He handled every aspect of the defensive side of the game and his distribution - starting with a raking pass out to Raheem Sterling in the very first minute - was as impeccable as ever.
“What a performance this was.
“David Silva inherited the City captaincy following Vincent Kompany’s exit but while there are players who have been at the club longer than Fernandinho, none are more important within the dressing room now.”
