Manchester United’s 3-1 loss to competitors Not only did Manchester City sentence the team to its eleventh Premier League loss of the year, but they also ended a 143-game winning streak that had started in September 2014.
Just eight minutes into the match, Marcus Rashford rifled a long-range piledriver beyond Ederson’s helpless dive to give the Red Devils the lead. The goal brought the Etihad Stadium to a standstill.
Erling Haaland was responsible for United’s continued dominance at the half, as the Norwegian striker miraculously lifted the ball over the crossbar from three yards out when it looked much easier to score. United were on the back foot for the majority of the first half as City pushed for an equalising goal.
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After the break, play was back to normal as Phil Foden brilliantly tied the score and then, ten minutes from the end, put the Premier League winners ahead with a deft one-two with Julian Alvarez that gave Casemiro the slip.
After United had led at halftime, Haaland sealed the victory for City and punished Sofyan Amrabat for dallying with the ball. This halted United’s incredible run of 143 Premier League games without a loss.
In those 123 games, United had triumphed, drawn the remaining 20, and lastly given up the lead at halftime when they faltered against Leicester City in September 2014.
The 13-time Premier League winners, under Louis van Gaal’s management, led 2-1 at the half with to goals from Robin van Persie and Angel Di Maria (yep, that one with the scoop over Kasper Schmeichel). Things looked even better in the 57th minute when Ander Herrera added to the lead.
However, a defence led by Rafael, Chris Smalling, Tyler Blackett, and Marcos Rojo gave up four goals in twenty minutes, and the Foxes were granted two penalties (the second of which saw Blackett sent out for a professional foul). As a result, the Foxes won 5-3.
Although United’s loss at City wasn’t as disastrous as it was on that particular occasion, Erik ten Hag’s team nevertheless finished second despite the absence of key players like Lisandro Martinez and Rasmus Hojlund due to injuries. With an xG of 3.33 at the end of the game compared to United’s meagre 0.25, City had 73% of the ball and fired 27 shots on Andre Onana’s goal.
