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"[caption id=&quot;attachment_36699&quot; align=&quot;aligncenter&quot; width=&quot;590&quot;]&lt;a href=&quot;https://reddevilarmada.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2016/03/516703050-manchester-city-v-manchester-united-premier-league.jpg&quot; rel=&quot;attachment wp-att-36699&quot;&gt;&lt;img class=&quot;size-large wp-image-36699&quot; src=&quot;https://reddevilarmada.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2016/03/516703050-manchester-city-v-manchester-united-premier-league-850x560.jpg&quot; alt=&quot;MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 20: Winning goalscorer Marcus Rashford of Manchester United celebrates victory after the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Etihad Stadium on March 20, 2016 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)&quot; width=&quot;590&quot; height=&quot;389&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt; MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 20: Winning goalscorer Marcus Rashford of Manchester United celebrates victory after the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Etihad Stadium on March 20, 2016 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)[/caption]rn&lt;h2&gt;&lt;em&gt;Manchester United won the derby courtesy of Marcus Rashford's excellent goal.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;rnAs Manchester United moved to within a point of Manchester City in the Premier League following a 1-0 win, there were a number of key statistical stories.rnrnAnthony Martial was a real force down United's left flank, dribbling past City players for fun at times. Michael Carrick played his best game of the season and took charge in midfield. Daley Blind, meanwhile, made more tackles than any other player on the pitch.rnrnIt was an impressive display&nbsp;from United, and Marcos Rojo was perhaps the only player to perform poorly.rnrnThe defence kept a clean sheet, the midfield dominated and the attack looked lively throughout. It was a stirring win that ended a run of four games without a victory.rnrn[recentposts align=&quot;right&quot; thiscategory=&quot;no&quot;]rnrnAt the very least, United's 1-0 win at the Etihad Stadium keeps faint hopes of a top-four finish alive, especially as there are plenty of games at Old Trafford left this season.rnrnCity also lost two players to injury in the derby - Raheem Sterling and Joe Hart - after seeing two players limp off in midweek action: Vincent Kompany and Nicolas Otamendi.rnrnThe upcoming international fixtures&nbsp;will give some of those players a chance to regain fitness, but their absence after the break could simultaneously hamper City and aid United.rnrnHere are five statistical stories to examine following the derby.rnrn[nextpost teaser=&quot;5.&nbsp;Martial's Mazy Runs&quot; slider=&quot;true&quot;]rnrn&lt;!--nextpage--&gt;rnrn[caption id=&quot;attachment_36703&quot; align=&quot;aligncenter&quot; width=&quot;590&quot;]&lt;a href=&quot;https://reddevilarmada.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2016/03/516704836-manchester-city-v-manchester-united-premier-league.jpg&quot; rel=&quot;attachment wp-att-36703&quot;&gt;&lt;img class=&quot;size-large wp-image-36703&quot; src=&quot;https://reddevilarmada.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2016/03/516704836-manchester-city-v-manchester-united-premier-league-850x560.jpg&quot; alt=&quot;&quot; width=&quot;590&quot; height=&quot;389&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt; MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 20: Anthony Martial of Manchester United in action with Bacary Sagna of Manchester City during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Etihad Stadium on March 20, 2016 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by John Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images)[/caption]rn&lt;h2&gt;&lt;em&gt;5.&nbsp;Martial's Mazy Runs&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;rnThe Frenchman recorded six successful dribbles - level with Sergio Aguero for most in the game.rnrnIt was his mazy runs in the second half that were particularly impressive. On certain occasions, he squared up Bacary Sagna and just burst past him. At other times, his ability to carry the ball from one end of the pitch to the other helped to alleviate pressure on the United defence.rnrnMartial is a magnificent player and, based on his second Manchester derby performance, will have a seriously bright future in the game.rnrnHe looked adventurous, willing to take risks and make something happen. His pace and power meant City's defence had their hands full for the entire match.rnrn[nextpost teaser=&quot;4. Carrick's Touches and Passes&quot; slider=&quot;true&quot;]rnrn&lt;!--nextpage--&gt;rnrn[caption id=&quot;attachment_36697&quot; align=&quot;aligncenter&quot; width=&quot;590&quot;]&lt;a href=&quot;https://reddevilarmada.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2016/03/516705080-manchester-city-v-manchester-united-premier-league.jpg&quot; rel=&quot;attachment wp-att-36697&quot;&gt;&lt;img class=&quot;size-large wp-image-36697&quot; src=&quot;https://reddevilarmada.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2016/03/516705080-manchester-city-v-manchester-united-premier-league-850x560.jpg&quot; alt=&quot;MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 20: Sergio Aguero of Manchester City is watched by Michael Carrick of Manchester United during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Etihad Stadium on March 20, 2016 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)&quot; width=&quot;590&quot; height=&quot;389&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt; MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 20: Sergio Aguero of Manchester City is watched by Michael Carrick of Manchester United during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Etihad Stadium on March 20, 2016 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)[/caption]rn&lt;h2&gt;&lt;em&gt;4. Carrick's Touches and Passes&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;rnThe 34-year-old has looked off the pace all season. Against City, though, he put in a really assured display and, aided by the combative Morgan Schneiderlin, bossed the midfield.rnrnCarrick, for the second game running, had more touches of the ball than any other United player. He also attempted more passes than any other player in a red shirt.rnrnIn the second half, he made an important block to prevent Wilfried Bony from scoring an equaliser.rnrnAll in all, Carrick's performance illustrated that, for now, he still has something to offer. He was United's best outfield player last season, and his display versus City was of that ilk.rnrn[nextpost teaser=&quot;3. Darmian's Clearances&quot; slider=&quot;true&quot;]rnrn&lt;!--nextpage--&gt;rnrn[caption id=&quot;attachment_36705&quot; align=&quot;aligncenter&quot; width=&quot;590&quot;]&lt;a href=&quot;https://reddevilarmada.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2016/03/516696022-fbl-eng-pr-man-city-man-utd.jpg&quot; rel=&quot;attachment wp-att-36705&quot;&gt;&lt;img class=&quot;size-large wp-image-36705&quot; src=&quot;https://reddevilarmada.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2016/03/516696022-fbl-eng-pr-man-city-man-utd-850x560.jpg&quot; alt=&quot;&quot; width=&quot;590&quot; height=&quot;389&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt; Manchester City's French defender Gael Clichy (L) vies with Manchester United's Italian defender Matteo Darmian during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on March 20, 2016. / AFP / PAUL ELLIS / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images)[/caption]rn&lt;h2&gt;&lt;em&gt;3. Darmian's Clearances&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;rnMatteo Darmian started the season so well but, since mid-September, has really underperformed.rnrnAgainst City, though, he was solid defensively, and that was typified by his seven clearances, all of which came inside the penalty area.rnrnHis positioning was better than it has been in recent weeks, too. It was a much more assured and confident display from the Italian.rnrnIn the end, he limped off with cramp. By that point he had already contributed to a strong defensive showing from United.rnrn[nextpost teaser=&quot;2. Blind's Tackles&nbsp;&quot; slider=&quot;true&quot;]rnrn&lt;!--nextpage--&gt;rnrn[caption id=&quot;attachment_36706&quot; align=&quot;aligncenter&quot; width=&quot;590&quot;]&lt;a href=&quot;https://reddevilarmada.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2016/03/516702716-manchester-city-v-manchester-united-premier-league.jpg&quot; rel=&quot;attachment wp-att-36706&quot;&gt;&lt;img class=&quot;size-large wp-image-36706&quot; src=&quot;https://reddevilarmada.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2016/03/516702716-manchester-city-v-manchester-united-premier-league-850x560.jpg&quot; alt=&quot;&quot; width=&quot;590&quot; height=&quot;389&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt; MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 20: Daley Blind of Manchester United in action with Wilfried Bony of Manchester City during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Etihad Stadium on March 20, 2016 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by John Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images)[/caption]rn&lt;h2&gt;&lt;em&gt;2. Blind's Tackles&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;rnThe Dutchman is often criticised for not being a 'proper' defender, but he made six tackles against City - more than any other player on the pitch.rnrnFacing the challenge of playing against Sergio Aguero&nbsp;-&nbsp;the Premier League's best player - Blind tackled hard and used the ball well. He also made more interceptions than any other United player.rnrnIt was a much steadier performance compared to his displays in the last two weeks.rnrnAlthough Blind lacks height, strength and speed, his on-the-ball ability makes him technically more proficient than any other defender in the league.&nbsp;Whether he remains in defence in the long term remains to be seen, but Blind brings so much to this United team that it will be difficult to take him out of it.rnrn[nextpost teaser=&quot;1. De Gea's Saves &quot; slider=&quot;true&quot;]rnrn&lt;!--nextpage--&gt;rnrn[caption id=&quot;attachment_36707&quot; align=&quot;aligncenter&quot; width=&quot;590&quot;]&lt;a href=&quot;https://reddevilarmada.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2016/03/516705458-manchester-city-v-manchester-united-premier-league.jpg&quot; rel=&quot;attachment wp-att-36707&quot;&gt;&lt;img class=&quot;size-large wp-image-36707&quot; src=&quot;https://reddevilarmada.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2016/03/516705458-manchester-city-v-manchester-united-premier-league-850x560.jpg&quot; alt=&quot;&quot; width=&quot;590&quot; height=&quot;389&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt; MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 20: David de Gea of Manchester United celebrates at final whistle during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Etihad Stadium on March 20, 2016 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Matthew Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images)[/caption]rn&lt;h2&gt;&lt;em&gt;1. De Gea's Saves&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;rnCity recorded&nbsp;26 shots in the derby, but David De Gea only had three saves to make.&nbsp;It was his quietest and most comfortable game in a long time.rnrnThat highlights how profligate City were in front of goal and how well United defended that so very few of the home side's attempts threatened the Spaniard's goal.rnrn[nextpost teaser=&quot;City 0-1 United: Player Ratings&quot; url=&quot;https://reddevilarmada.com/2016/03/20/manchester-city-0-1-manchester-united-player-ratings/&quot;]rnrnDe Gea has so often been United's best player in games during the last three seasons. In this Manchester derby, however, he was barely involved in the match.&nbsp;It made for a refreshing change."
<https://reddevilarmada.com/2016/03/21/manchester-city-0-1-manchester-united-5-key-statistical-stories/>