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Three Key Takeaways: Citizens Eliminated by Manchester United 1-0 in EFL Cup

By Larry Henry

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 26: Paul Pogba of Manchester United (C) and Pablo Maffeo of Manchester City (R) battle for possession during the EFL Cup fourth round match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on October 26, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 26: Paul Pogba of Manchester United (C) and Pablo Maffeo of Manchester City (R) battle for possession during the EFL Cup fourth round match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on October 26, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images) /
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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 26: Daley Blind of Manchester United in action with Leroy Sane of Manchester City during the EFL Cup Fourth Round match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on October 26, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by John Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 26: Daley Blind of Manchester United in action with Leroy Sane of Manchester City during the EFL Cup Fourth Round match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on October 26, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by John Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images) /

Manchester City‘s hopes of advancing in the EFL Cup were dashed on Wednesday as Pep Guardiola‘s side were eliminated by Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford.

MCFC are now winless in their last six matches in all competitions. Guardiola’s starting 11 featured the likes of Vincent Kompany, Nicolas Otamendi, Leroy Sane, Kelechi Iheanacho and Jesus Navas. Pablo Maffeo came in at right-back while Aleix Garcia featured in the midfielder.

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Manchester United, who were coming off a 4-0 defeat at Chelsea on Sunday, had a strong starting 11 with Paul Pogba, Marcus Rashford, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic all featuring.

The first half saw both sides feeling each other out, but with City’s Willy Caballero being forced into action more than United’s David de Gea. Manchester City were doing well defending, but also doing well creating a counter attack against the United back-line.

Both teams headed into the halftime break knowing improvements had to be made. However, it was Manchester United that broke the deadlock as Juan Mata scored in the 54th minute from close range to make it 1-0.

It was a nice finish, but could have easily been called off due to a foul on Fernando by Ander Herrera just before the shot. Guardiola sent on the likes of Raheem Sterling and Sergio Aguero as reinforcements to get an equalizer.

However, Manchester City were kept out and Manchester United moved onto the quarterfinals of the EFL Cup. The Citizens failed to record a shot on target, while Willy Caballero was called into one save. According to the Telegraph, it was Manchester City’s “first match without a shot on target since April 2012.”

Manchester City looked in second gear for most of the match, and the attacking threats were there but the finishing was not.


Here are my three key takeaways from MCFC’s defeat at Old Trafford.

1.) Vincent Kompany did well in 45 minutes of work. 
The skipper was back in the line-up on Wednesday and did a solid job of directing the back-line. He won two duels, two headers, and made eight clearances in the match. Kompany was able to shut down the likes of Ibrahimovic, Rashford, and others whenever they attacked down the middle.  It was good to see the Belgian back on the field, and 45 minutes of work is good for his fitness heading into the weekend.

2.) Youngsters were easily City’s best players. 
Pablo Maffeo and Aleix Garcia were the best players in the City line-up on Wednesday. The two youngsters worked hard for the team and stood up to some tough competition. Maffeo came in at right back and did well dealing with some top talented forwards. Garcia worked hard in the midfield and looked to run the offense nicely going forward. Pep Guardiola likes to play youth in cup tournaments and he definitely will be proud of the performances put in by both players, who played the entire 90+.

3.) City’s attackers made no REAL threat against United’s defense. 
Throughout the match, I expected more of an attack from City. Without the likes of Kevin De Bruyne due to injury and David Silva it was always going to be tough. Zero shots on target is a rarity from Manchester City and needs to be fixed quickly. Kelechi Iheanacho was the most dangerous attacking option for City getting a close chance early in the match. Other than that, Manchester United’s back-line of Antonio Valencia, Luke Shaw, Daley Blind, and Marcos Rojo did a good job of keeping City away from goal.

Next: EPL Power Rankings Week 9 - Where Does Manchester City fall?

Still sitting at the top of the Barclays Premier League summit, Manchester City need to get back to winning. They travel to West Bromwich Albion on Saturday in the EPL before hosting Barcelona next Tuesday on Matchday #4 of the UEFA Champions League.

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