Fernandinho, Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling and Sergio Aguero are now the only remaining players Pep Guardiola found at the club since he joined in 2016 but apparently he is yet to rebuild a team. Anyway onto the ratings then.
Steffen: 7 - Had nothing to do except that huge save. Looked a touch more confident. Was weird seeing Dias seeing take his goal kicks though.
Dias: 8.5 – He is 23, just let that sink in. £65 million with add ons whilst Otamendi joined Benfica for £13.6m. Great business innit. So much for us having to sign 29 year old Koulibaly for us to compete again. The guy just oozes class. Such a perfectly balanced footballer who reads the game so well and senses danger like a young Fernandinho. Including Dias, Pep has signed now 12 defenders and its Early days but the Benfica's youth academy graduate might just be his best ever signing.
United 0 - 2 Citizens : Player Ratings
posted on 7/1/21
Cancelo: 7.5 - We have a few intelligent players in the team (KDB & Gundagon the obvious ones) but this lad has a huge football brain. There is a school of thought that he will be moved to the left when Walker is fit but he is so much better on the right. World-class player in the making.
Stones: 8 – Was a bit annoyed he started this game given his injury record but Pep knows I guess. Was weird watching Pep select Garcia ahead of him last season but Pep knows. His much publicised divorce and struggles in his personal life affected his form for a while but according to Pep, John is the reason for this strong come back. It wouldn’t be possible without a character like Dias next to him and the chemistry and bromance is great to watch.96% pass rate in this match and has the highest pass rate % in the league this season. So important for our build up play and must stay fit for our passing game to grow.
Zinchenko: 6 - Shaky start but got better as the match went on. Was surprised he started but did his best to cope with Rashford.
Fernandinho: 9 – Class is permanent. Put up a clinic. Always found space ahead of the static united midfielders releasing the wingers early and just causing havoc. Kept a lid on Bruno aswell. Its hard to know what Peps plan is with him but one can only hope we are saving him for the second half of the season. Must at the very least play all the big games and Champions League. Class Class player.
Gundogan: 7- Probably the managers favourite player but he hasn’t let him down this season has he. Surprised he played that long but there is so much pace and urgency to his game and he is taking the attention away from KDB which has led to an improvement in KDBs form.
De Bruyne: 8- I am still uncertain if the free role is his best position but his form gets better and better especially alongside Gundagon. His poor conversion rate in front of goal is clearly bothering him but maybe it will just click. I don’t understand why he is being asked to play every match but suppose management knows better.
Foden: 8 – Staying out wide and following the manager’s instructions will have him nail down that left position. Works well as it allows a patchy Sterling, Mahrez and Bernardo to battle it out for the right wing berth. One of the few players who may just spark in the second half of the season and push the team to titles.
Sterling: 7 – One of his better games against united and rotated quite well with Mahrez. Not in his best form but works hard and does occupy dangerous positions. Hopefully he is one of the players that spark into life in the 2nd half of the season.
Mahrez: 7- Rotated well with Sterling and carried the ball quite well on specific occasions. It’s a pity he hasn’t really built on his early season form but had a tidy performance.
Substitutes
Rodri 7 - (for Mahrez, 79) – Made a few clearances defensively and remains surprisingly underated.
Not used: Trafford, Walker, Mendy, Harwood-Bellis, Mbete, Nmecha, Jesus, Aguero
posted on 7/1/21
Dias should be made captain next season, natural born leader.
It would be a huge mistake to not offer Fernadinho a rolling contract. The man is a master of his craft.
posted on 7/1/21
Dias should be 9
Very impressive tactical awareness and bailed out Stones at least twice.
posted on 7/1/21
Can definitely see Dias picking up where Kompany left off. Don’t normally like seeing other sides attack us, but the pay off is watching him ply his trade, he was excellent yesterday.
And agree RE Fernandinho, he still looks in great shape and if managed properly could give us another season or two.
Would like to see Sterling rotated out for a couple of games this month
posted on 7/1/21
Rubén Dias vs Man United
107 total touches [most]
100% duels won
100% tackles won [most]
92% pass accuracy
6 clearances [most]
2 shots blocked [most]
2 interceptions
1 clean sheet
Boom