Erling Haaland was once again the star of the show as Manchester City beat Manchester United 3-0 in the first Manchester derby of the season today.
The Norwegian striker grabbed a brace in a man of the match performance to get City back to winning ways in the Premier League, with the Cityzens also piling more pressure on United boss Ruben Amorim.
The visitors had started well at the Etihad but found themselves behind on 18 minutes after Jeremy Doku’s cross found the on-rushing Phil Foden in the box, and the homegrown talent directed a header into the far corner.
And despite starting the second half well too, Haaland pounced on some poor defending to double the City lead before ending the game as a contest within 70 minutes as he raced clear to slide a finish past Altay Bayindir.
The win gives City a boost and takes them to eighth, while United will face plenty more questions after another poor start to the season.
Follow all the reaction from the Etihad below:
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Man City v Man Utd LIVE: Latest score and updates
- Man City beat Man Utd in early season Manchester derby after Haaland brace
- Pressure remains on United and Ruben Amorim after disastrous cup defeat
- 68' GOAL! Haaland lands a brace after United's defensive disaster [MCI 3-0 MUN]
- 75' CLOSE! Reijnders chips narrowly wide when clean through [MCI 3-0 MUN]
- 55' CLOSE! Haaland hits the inside of the post from close range [MCI 3-0 MUN]
- 53' GOAL! Haaland doubles the lead with deft finish [MCI 2-0 MUN]
- 18' GOAL! Cushioned Foden header gives City early lead [MCI 1-0 MUN]
Manchester City FC 3 - 0 Manchester United FC
‘You’d need Keane and Gerrard’: Pundits question Man United system after heavy derby loss
20:20
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Chris Wilson
Ruben Amorim’s tactical set-up has come under fire in the wake of Manchester United’s 3-0 defeat to Manchester City, with Gary Nevilleclaiming he’d need “Roy Keane and Steven Gerrard” in order to cover the gaps left in midfield.
United slumped to a dismal defeat as Erling Haaland scored a brace to inflict yet another defeat on Amorim, with the Portuguese now having won just eight of his 31 league matches in charge at Old Trafford.
Gaps in United’s midfield were clear throughout the match as the duo of Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte were overrun by Phil Foden, Tijjani Reijnders and Rodri, and it eventually told as United failed to land a blow on their cross-city rivals.
Erling Haaland and Phil Foden help Man City toast Ricky Hatton with derby win
20:10
,
Chris Wilson
Phil Foden’s header and a brilliant Erling Haaland brace secured Manchester City a 3-0 derby victory against Manchester United on a day when the rivals remembered the late, great Ricky Hatton.
The city, and wider sporting world, was rocked by the death of the popular boxer on Sunday, with both sets of fans applauding during a touching pre-match tribute to the lifelong City fan.
Foden spoke of the players’ determination to do fellow Stockport-born star Hatton proud and helped them do just that at the Etihad Stadium, marking his first start of the season with a superb header from Jeremy Doku’s cross.
United 'have to start winning quickly'
20:00
,
Chris Wilson
On Sky, Neville says that Amorim needs a quick turnaround.
“When Ruben Amorim first came I was heartened by them playing three at the back but every single game he changes the back three, which tells me he is not sure which back three he should play. And he changes the back five.
“There were a lot of individual errors out there today. Luke Shaw had one of the worst games I have seen him have. All three goals he could have done better.
“It was a nothing from United. They are 14th in the league only four games in and we all said that they can't be getting to October where they are 14th or 15th in the league or the manager will be in trouble. There are a few games to go but they have to start winning quickly,” he adds.
Stats look bad for Amorim
19:53
,
Chris Wilson
Ruben Amorim’s Premier League win rate stands at 26 per cent, with eight wins from 31 Premier League matches. He has only won four of 26 Premier League games against non-promoted teams.
United have failed to score in 13 of their 31 league games, finding the net just 36 times.
United have conceded 1.6 goals per game under Amorim and kept just five clean sheets.
With just four points from four games (W1 D1 L2), this is Manchester United’s poorest start to a league season since 1992/93.
More from Amorim
19:40
,
Chris Wilson
Speaking directly to Sky, Amorim says that United “had a big team in the certain moments”.
“If you look at the three goals, we can avoid the three goals. We can be more aggressive.
"In these kind of games, with top teams the small margins will make the difference. The performance is not good, in certain moments they were better than us and in the end you don't have a good feeling,” he adds.
On where he feels United are at, he says: "We play against one coach that won seven Premier League titles and we are building things, trying to fight against these teams. I am not going to defend myself, it's always the same question, trying to protect myself. We need to do better.
"If I look to the game, last year we draw and won against City and today we were a little bit better but in the small details it was clearly not goof enough. We are building things but of course we need to win.
"I'm not happy. I didn't see one player in my team not giving the maximum. The rest is with me. The disappointment sometimes I feel we could run more, but I didn't have that feeling today. It's my fault, not their fault and I am fine with that.
"I know it's hard on our fans but again, I cannot point to one player [about lack of] effort. With game intelligence we can improve but that is my fault and we can improve,” he adds.
Richards criticises system
19:35
,
Chris Wilson
“The system is not helping the United players at all. At all,” says Micah Richards on Sky.
“All the defenders are going for the same ball for the second goal. It was three versus two and Haaland still ends up winning the ball and scoring.
“The lack of communication... if you are playing you have to be talking. It is a hard system to play,” he adds.
Amorim's record
19:30
,
Chris Wilson
Ruben Amorim now has the unenviable record of having the worst win percentage of any Man Utd boss since the Second World War, according to Sky.
The Portuguese has just eight wins from his 31 Premier League games – since he took over, the ‘table’ from this period has United bottom on 31 points from 31 games.
Among managers to take charge of 20+ top-flight games with United, only Alfred Albut (20 per cent) and Scott Duncan (24 per cent) have a lower win ratio at this level in the league than Amorim’s 26 per cent.
Amorim reacts
19:25
,
Chris Wilson
"We could be more aggressive. The goals are avoidable. We suffer, we left two players 2v1. Haaland has all the space, confusion with our players,” says Amorim as he reflects on City’s opener to begin with.
"In these moments, if you look at the goals, there is moments we can avoid. City took it. Transitions, those moments, they were better than us.
On winning just one of his 31 Premier League matches, he adds: “I accept, it is not a record you should have at Manchester United. There are a lot of things you have no idea what has happened.
"But I am not going to change my philosophy. I play my way and I am going to play my way."
"I understand everything. It is normal. The result, I accept that. I don't see it that way, we are doing better than the results. The record says everything.
"My message to fans: I will do everything. Always thinking about what is best for the club.
"Until I'm here, I'll do my best. The rest is not my decision. I'm suffering more [than the fans],” he says later on.
Donnarumma impresses on debut
19:20
,
Chris Wilson
A word on Donnarumma, who was impressive today despite not having an awful lot to do.
The Italian was a commanding presence in the box, dealing with plenty of crosses, before a brilliant save from Mbeumo when called upon.
He’ll have tougher tests, but it was a good start to his City career!
Guardiola calls Foden "incredible"
19:15
,
Chris Wilson
Guardiola is speaking to the BBC as he reacts.
"We are in a situation with a start we didn't expect and of course our opponents are so strong,” he says as he begins.
“We want to be close and still fighting for titles. The spirit was great, our players have a lot of pride and they want to try to do better on a special day. We saw our fans so happy and that is our job, so, so privileged.
"We have many things to improve. We are not yet a team but step by step. The victory helps us a lot. In the games we have had a lot of momentum and others not enough.
"They [Manchester United] have fantastic players and I know here we struggle against them, we have more better results at Old Trafford."
On Phil Foden: "He played incredible. He is a guy who loves to arrive at the box. Our last Premier League title he was the best player in the Premier League. We need him so much.
"The players have a lot of pride. Erling's commitment this season is unbelievable. Two games, seven goals is not bad."
Fernandes reacts
19:10
,
Chris Wilson
"No it's not hard [to find positives],” says Fernandes as he reacts on Sky.
“You have to look at what we did well and it's not enough because you want to win football games. What we did today was not enough to get a result and that's what we'll take from this game. Obviously look at what we have to do better and look to the next game.
"We need to score goals and not concede. We keep creating chances but were not able to score as much as we wanted. We have to be more in control. We concede three goals we could have avoided.
"When we go we have to take more risks and be more brave with the last line. When we pass to our centre-backs they go three against three and squeeze so much. The space is very narrow."
On whether it feels like United are heading in the right decision, he says: "The result is very bad, very bad on us but I think it's two ways of looking at this game. The goals could have been avoided. On the ball we were very positive, very brave, we were playing the ball forward. When we created chances we could have been more clean.
"We wanted what City got and that's the three points. City were smart to get the goals in the way they did, they have a very good team and good players,” he adds as he finishes.
Man Utd have worst start to a league season since 1992
19:02
,
Chris Wilson
With just four points from their opening four games, Man Utd have officially made their poorest start to a league season since 1992/93. Add to that the loss against Grimsby in the Carabao Cup, and things are looking bleak at Old Trafford.
4 - With just four points from four games (W1 D1 L2), this is Manchester United’s poorest start to a league season since 1992-93, when they also had four points from their opening four matches under Alex Ferguson. Misery. pic.twitter.com/zW5QH4u2jy
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 14, 2025
Haaland: 'We needed this"
18:57
,
Chris Wilson
"You could feel it as well from the fans, we needed this,” says Erling Haaland as he speaks to Sky.
“You always want to win the derby but you could feel it extra today. I'm so relieved, so happy we managed to do it altogether. We have to keep going. Today we're super happy."
On Phil Foden, he adds: "This is the Phil we need. City were waiting for this and we are going to help him as much as we can to make him as good as he was the season before last."
FULL-TIME! Man City 3-0 Man Utd
18:52
,
Chris Wilson
Another dark day for United and Ruben Amorim, with the players looking dejected as they made their way over to the away fans.
Foden: ' I had extra motivation'
18:47
,
Chris Wilson
Speaking to Sky, Phil Foden says he “100 per cent had extra motivation going into the game” after the news regarding Ricky Hatton.
“It was for him and his family and for the people suffering right now. The lads gave everything. It wasn't a pretty match but it was all for him,” he says.
"There has been a lot of talk. It's impossible [not to hear outside talk]. Everything has been quite negative but that's the world that we live in when you are playing at the highest level.
"When you come off winning the player of the season award the standards are higher and I understand that. It's about reading those comments, reacting as well as possible and getting back to my level."
On Erling Haaland’s display, he adds: “A complete performance, the way he held up the ball when we were struggling.
“He did everything. Defending, attacking, running in behind and doing the dirty work. It was a full shift and we need that more.” he adds as he finishes.
FULL-TIME! Man City 3-0 Man Utd
18:39
,
Chris Wilson
Haaland in fine form
Erling Haaland has now scored 11 goals in six appearances for club and country - including seven in his previous two games.
His only blank so far was against Spurs on 23 August!
FULL-TIME! Man City 3-0 Man Utd
18:37
,
Chris Wilson
That result means City move up to eighth place, with six points from their opening four games.
United slip down into 14th, with four points to start the season.
FULL-TIME! Man City 3-0 Man Utd
18:34
,
Chris Wilson
FULL-TIME! Man City 3-0 Man Utd
18:26
,
Richard Jolly at the Etihad
A brief summary from Richard Jolly at the Etihad:
“That was rather emphatic in the end. United had no answer to Erling Haaland, though Foden and Doku also played sizeable parts.
“Guardiola's decision to give Donnarumma his debut was certainly justified.
“United were cut open too easily and some of their players - Luke Shaw, in particular - had traumatic afternoons.
“Theirs has been a poor start to the season and Sir Jim Ratcliffe was here to witness this.”
FULL-TIME! Man City 3-0 Man Utd
18:26
,
Chris Wilson
The referee brings the game to an end and City are back to winning ways in the Premier League! Could this match mark their resurgence this season?
A poor day for United, and there will be more questions over Amorim’s future tonight.
Man City 3-0 Man Utd
18:25
,
Chris Wilson
90 +3 mins
Half chances for both sides as the clock runs down, with Oscar Bobb seeing a shot deflected wide.
Man City 3-0 Man Utd
18:21
,
Chris Wilson
90 mins
Plenty of away fans have left already as the fourth official puts up the board for four minutes of added time.
The flag has just gone up for offside against Mainoo.
Man City 3-0 Man Utd
18:18
,
Chris Wilson
88 mins
Gary Neville says he thinks “some pressure will be applied to the manager” after this result.
It is probably time for that, as “sacked in the morning" chants ring around the Etihad.
City make changes as Haaland and Silva come off for Oscar Bobb and Nathan Ake.
Man City 3-0 Man Utd
18:17
,
Chris Wilson
86 mins
Another half-chance for United as the ball is headed out to Dorgu in the box, but the Dane rifles well over.
Another problem for United is that so many of their chances – and a lot of attacking play – falls to their young wing-back.
Man City 3-0 Man Utd
18:16
,
Chris Wilson
84 mins
CLOSE! This really sums up United’s day.
Amad picks the ball up and drives into the box, making the space for a cutback that is rifled at Mbeumo – who misses from about three yards.
Turns out it took a deflection off Donnarumma, so Unite have a corner.
But the set-piece comes to nothing as Fernandes fires it in and now Casemiro misses from point-blank range!
Man City 3-0 Man Utd
18:13
,
Chris Wilson
82 mins
Another united attack ends, though this time it’s Mbeumo who curls a decent effort wide of the far post. Too little too late for the visitors anyway.
Man City 3-0 Man Utd
18:11
,
Chris Wilson
80 mins
Changes for United now as Sesko and Ugarte come off for Joshua Zirkzee and Casemiro.
Man City 3-0 Man Utd
18:10
,
Chris Wilson
79 mins
Lovely play from Mainoo to skip past a challenge in midfield before laying it off to Dorgu. The cross is poor though, and Donnarumma collects.
A note on the Italian too, who has had a commanding – and overall very encouraging – debut today.
Man City 3-0 Man Utd
18:09
,
Chris Wilson
77 mins
City make two subs as Savinho and Nico Gonzalez replace Doku and Rodri.
Man City 3-0 Man Utd
18:06
,
Chris Wilson
75 mins
CLOSE! How is it not four?
So easy for City, as Haaland picks the ball up in his half and sees the space open up.
Reijnders is making the overlapping run from midfield and all Haaland has to do is slip in a simple pass to put the Dutchman 1-v-1 with Bayindir, though the former AC Milan man can only chip an effort wide.
Man City 3-0 Man Utd
18:05
,
Chris Wilson
Another update from Richard Jolly at the Etihad:
“Haaland is up to eight goals in Manchester derbies - as many as Eric Cantona, one short of Bobby Charlton.”
Man City 3-0 Man Utd
18:03
,
Chris Wilson
70 mins
The Etihad is bouncing as United look out of ideas. Ugarte rifles an effort well wide from just outside the area.
GOAL! Man City 3-0 Man Utd
18:00
,
Chris Wilson
68 mins
GOAL! A third for City and that is definitely that.
It’s a mess from the visitors, who lose the ball near halfway after a poor pass.
Haaland is clean through from within his own half and simply races onto the ball before sliding a low finish past Bayindir.
Man City 2-0 Man Utd
17:59
,
Richard Jolly at the Etihad
The latest from Richard Jolly at the Etihad:
“There have been a couple of illustrations of why Guardiola put Donnarumma straight into the side.
“That superb save from Mbeumo was the best. Perhaps James Trafford would have saved it. The man who may be the best in the world did.”
Man City 2-0 Man Utd
17:58
,
Chris Wilson
66 mins
Mbeumo thinks he has the better of O’Reilly as he bursts into the box but the City defender has done enough to put him off.
City happy to let United have the ball in attacking areas over the last few minutes – almost as if they know the visitors struggle to create against settled defences.
Man City 2-0 Man Utd
17:55
,
Chris Wilson
64 mins
A chance for City now as Dias wins the ball well on halfway to create the counter. It’s spread wide to Silva and his cross is met on the volley by Haaland, but it’s straight at Bayindir.
Man City 2-0 Man Utd
17:53
,
Chris Wilson
62 mins
Subs for United as Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire come on for Mazraoui and Yoro.
United’s corner is headed towards his own net by O’Reilly but there’s no United player there to capitalise.
Man City 2-0 Man Utd
17:52
,
Chris Wilson
60 mins
SAVE!
United come forward but in truth it has the feel of a game that is already over by the hour mark.
Nevertheless, there’s a brilliant save from Donnarumma as Dorgu’s looped cross is volleyed by Mbeumo.
It’s travelling right into the far corner but the Italian gets across to tip it wide on the stretch.
Man City 2-0 Man Utd
17:47
,
Chris Wilson
55 mins
CLOSE! How is it not three?
So close for City, as United try to play out the back and it comes straight to Doku. He plays it forward to Haaland, who is suddenly clean through, and though his first effort is saved, it rebounds back to him.
He looks certain to tap into the empty net from a few yards but it comes back off the inside of the post and is cleared!
'A sadly familiar tale for United'
17:45
,
Chris Wilson
Reaction from Richard Jolly at the Etihad:
“Foden got his seventh Manchester derby earlier. Now Haaland has done likewise. This is a sadly familiar tale for United.”
GOAL! Man City 2-0 Man Utd
17:44
,
Chris Wilson
53 mins
GOAL! City have a second and that could well be that!
It’s simple from the hosts too, as O’Reilly gets past the challenge before Foden ships it to Doku.
Yoro is too tight to the Belgian and he slips it into the path of Haaland, who simply lifts the finish past the onrushing Bayindir.
Man City 1-0 Man Utd
17:41
,
Chris Wilson
51 mins
Fernandes finds Dorgu in the box but he’s unable to get past Rodri.
United come again but Fernandes plays the pass straight out of play, with City looking happy to sit back at the moment.
Man City 1-0 Man Utd
17:40
,
Chris Wilson
50 mins
Another United attack comes to nothing as Mazraoui is unable to get to Mbeumo’s through ball.
A more encouraging start to the half for United but they’re still lacking that final bit of quality.
Man City 1-0 Man Utd
17:38
,
Chris Wilson
47 mins
Half a chance early on for United as it’s squared to Amad, who finds Dorgu on the wing before the wing-back sees his cross turned behind.
Haaland heads clear from the set-piece and is there for the follow-up crosses too.
KICK-OFF! Man City 1-0 Man Utd
17:36
,
Chris Wilson
We’re back underway at the Etihad!
HALF-TIME! Man City 1-0 Man Utd
17:33
,
Chris Wilson
Both sides are coming back out at the Etihad, so the second half will get started soon.
HALF-TIME! Man City 1-0 Man Utd
17:28
,
Chris Wilson
An interesting half for the neutral and even in parts, though the hosts look far more dangerous in attack.
The problems in Amorim’s formation remain clear as United repeatedly find themselves overrun in midfield, with Reijnders and Foden picking up great positions.
Jeremy Doku has been good too, not only in the lead-up to the goal but also in causing plenty of problems from the wing. He’s unlucky not to find himself on two assists already.
United know there will be openings but so far they haven’t had the quality to exploit them, and they’ll be in trouble if they don’t start the second half quickly.
HALF-TIME! Man City 1-0 Man Utd
17:25
,
Chris Wilson
HALF-TIME! Man City 1-0 Man Utd
17:21
,
Richard Jolly at the Etihad
The thoughts of Richard Jolly from the Etihad:
“A decent first half for City, though they may think they could have created more chances after Foden scored.
“United can recall that they were 1-0 down in this fixture last season, and looked rather worse, but nonetheless went on to win.”
HALF-TIME! Man City 1-0 Man Utd
17:18
,
Chris Wilson
The free-kick is headed away easily and the first half comes to an end.
Man City 1-0 Man Utd
17:18
,
Chris Wilson
45 mins
Just one minute of added time, so this free-kick from Mbeumo could be the last kick of the half.
Man City 1-0 Man Utd
17:17
,
Chris Wilson
44 mins
City on the attack now though they’re happy to recycle possession as they look to see out the first half.
United win the ball and the diagonal comes out to Dorgu, who wins a corner off Khusanov.
After some words from the ref toKhusanov and De Ligt, Fernandes delivers the set-piece but Donnarumma punches away well, though Dorgu does well to win a cheap free-kick off Gvardiol on the right wing.
Man City 1-0 Man Utd
17:14
,
Chris Wilson
41 mins
Foden narrowly misses out on playing Doku into the space on the wing behind the United defence, but that remains an option for City.
United come again and Mbeumo picks up Amad in behind before United recycle possession and end up fouling Doku in the City box.
Man City 1-0 Man Utd
17:11
,
Chris Wilson
39 mins
City continue to exploit the space in United’s midfield well, with Reijnders also picking up good positions in the pockets.
The latest occasion ends with the Dutchman trying to pick out Haaland but O’Reilly intercepts before rifling over.
Man City 1-0 Man Utd
17:10
,
Chris Wilson
37 mins
City are just trying to manage the game at the moment and make sure they prevent any openings for the visitors.
They’ve defended well on the whole so far despite some chances for United, while Doku, Haaland and co. have looked very dangerous in attack.
‘Ugarte has actually started rather well’
17:07
,
Richard Jolly at the Etihad
Here’s the latest from The Independent’s Richard Jolly at the Etihad:
“Manuel Ugarte has actually started rather well, both as a tackler and, more surprsingly, as a a passer.
“And yet, even with him doing better than might be expected, United can still be outnumbered at times in midfield. It is a problem with Amorim’s 3-4-3 formation.”
Man City 1-0 Man Utd
17:06
,
Chris Wilson
34 mins
Fernandes fires the free-kick straight at Donnarumma.
Man City 1-0 Man Utd
17:05
,
Chris Wilson
33 mins
United get forward - help by some good hold-up play from Sesko – but Dorgu can’t head Mbeumo’s cross goalwards.
The visitors recycle possession and Mazraoui clips a ball in behind for Sesko, who brings it down before being closed down well by Donnarumma.
The Slovenian is penalised for handball anyway, but encouraging ‘keeping from Donnarumma there.
Moments later, Khusanov flies into the back of Dorgu to give away another free-kick in a dangerous area on the wing.
Man City 1-0 Man Utd
17:03
,
Chris Wilson
31 mins
Another frenetic passage of play as neither side is able to hold onto the ball before eventually Khusanov wins a throw off Amad.
A little lull in attacking activity at the moment.
Man City 1-0 Man Utd
17:01
,
Chris Wilson
29 mins
A bit of promise from United as Mbeumo breaks free down the right but his cross is headed away easily.
Moments later, he’s set free one-v-one by Ugarte before blasting over, but he’s quite far offside anyway.
Man City 1-0 Man Utd
16:58
,
Chris Wilson
26 mins
United are under a lot of pressure here.
The ball breaks loose near the centre circle and Haaland beats Yoro to it before racing free and slipping it to Silva.
The Portuguese tries to play the one-two but the visitors eventually manange to clear.
Man City 1-0 Man Utd
16:57
,
Chris Wilson
24 mins
CLOSE! Another chance for City.
They come forward and work it wide to Doku on the left, and theBelgian creates some space before picking out Reijnders in the box.
The Dutchman takes the shot first time but it’s too close to Bayindir, ricocheting off the ‘keeper’s body before he grabs the rebound.
Man City 1-0 Man Utd
16:55
,
Chris Wilson
22 mins
City have dominated since the goal and Haaland is causing problems in the box before Shaw clears for a corner.
Foden lines up the set-piece but De Ligt heads clear.
Man City 1-0 Man Utd
16:53
,
Richard Jolly at the Etihad
“It had been billed as a Manchester derby without a Mancunian but one has scored: Phil Foden has a habit of finding the net in this fixture.”
GOAL! Man City 1-0 Man Utd
16:51
,
Chris Wilson
18 mins
GOAL! City strike first in the derby!
City counter and they ship it to Doku, who shimmies past Shaw on the edge of the box before seeing his initial cross blocked.
It comes back to the Belgian and he clips a cross backwards to Foden, who is arriving to cushion a header into the far corner!
