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Man City Dominate Manchester United in 3-1 Victory

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Tuesday, February 24th 2026 at 15:05 GMT by Sporting News
      Locales: England, UNITED KINGDOM

Manchester, England - February 24th, 2026 - Manchester City reaffirmed their dominance over rivals Manchester United with a comprehensive 3-1 victory at the Etihad Stadium in today's Premier League clash. The result continues a worrying trend for United, who have struggled to consistently challenge City's relentless pursuit of silverware in recent seasons.

Erling Haaland proved once again why he is considered one of the world's most lethal strikers, bagging a brace and acting as the pivotal force in City's attacking display. While Bruno Fernandes briefly leveled the score for United, City's overall control of possession and clinical finishing proved too much for Erik ten Hag's side. A late goal from Mateo Kovacic sealed the win, solidifying City's position at the top of the table - though the title race remains fiercely competitive with Arsenal and Liverpool both showing strong form.

The match began cautiously, with both teams feeling each other out. United, under immense pressure to perform, adopted a relatively defensive setup, attempting to frustrate City and hit them on the counter. However, this approach largely proved ineffective, as City's midfield, orchestrated by Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne (who, despite not being on the scoresheet, was instrumental in creating chances), dominated possession and dictated the tempo.

The breakthrough finally came just after halftime. A swift counter-attack, initiated by a United turnover in midfield, saw De Bruyne release Haaland with a perfectly weighted through ball. Haaland, with his trademark speed and composure, slotted the ball past Andre Onana, sending the Etihad into raptures.

United responded immediately, and controversially, through a penalty awarded after a VAR review deemed a City defender had handled the ball in the box. Bruno Fernandes stepped up and confidently dispatched the spot-kick, briefly silencing the home crowd.

However, City's response was swift and devastating. Just six minutes later, Haaland struck again, this time capitalizing on a defensive lapse from United. A floated cross from the right wing found Haaland unmarked in the box, and he rose highest to power a header past Onana. The Norwegian's aerial prowess and positioning are becoming increasingly difficult for opposing defenders to handle.

The remainder of the match saw City largely control proceedings. Ten Hag brought on Rasmus Hojlund in an attempt to inject some energy into the United attack, and the young Dane did manage to pull a goal back in stoppage time, a neat finish after a clever through ball. However, it was too little, too late. Before Hojlund could spark any genuine comeback hopes, Kovacic added a fourth, a precise finish after a mazy run, to put the game beyond any doubt.

Key Takeaways:

• Haaland's Continued Excellence: Erling Haaland remains a force of nature. His two goals today took his season tally to 25 in the Premier League, further cementing his status as one of the league's most prolific goalscorers. City's attack revolves around him, and opponents consistently struggle to contain his threat.
• United's Defensive Frailties: Despite some improvements under Ten Hag, United's defensive vulnerabilities were once again exposed. The ease with which Haaland and City's attackers found space and created chances is a major concern. Strengthening the defense must be a priority in the upcoming transfer windows.
• City's Midfield Mastery: City's midfield continues to be the engine of their success. Rodri's defensive solidity and De Bruyne's creative flair provide the perfect balance, allowing City to control games and dictate the tempo. Their ability to recycle possession and find openings in the opposition defense is unparalleled.
• The Growing Gap: The gap between City and United appears to be widening. While United are showing signs of progress under Ten Hag, they still lack the consistency and quality needed to truly challenge for the Premier League title. City, on the other hand, continue to raise the bar, setting the standard for excellence in English football.

The result leaves Manchester City firmly in the title race, while Manchester United will need to regroup and address their shortcomings if they hope to salvage a successful season. The pressure is now firmly on Ten Hag to deliver results and close the gap on their city rivals.