Otamendi Shines And Bony Disappoints In Derby Draw

The Manchester derby on Sunday provided plenty of mixed feelings for supporters of Manchester City. Upon the final whistle, the feeling around Old Trafford could best be summed up with a shrug of the shoulders; this was not a classic. There are many clichés that are often associated with derby matches – none of them are applicable here. This was not a blood-and-thunder clash, nor was it particularly fraught with tension. However, it did yield a result that both sides will find acceptable, but was more favourable for the visitors.

This was not a vintage Manchester City performance, but they did earn the point they required to go back to the top of the league. For a game low on all-out entertainment, we did still learn a bit about the Blues as they continued their attempts to reclaim the Premier League title.

Kompany and Otamendi

The big question pre-game was whether Manuel Pellegrini would finally re-instate captain Vincent Kompany. Much has been made of the defender’s recent absence. After missing a month of football, Kompany went on international duty and played for Belgium, defying his club manager’s wishes. Clearly, Pellegrini didn’t approve of his player’s decision and seemed to punish him. Despite confirming that his skipper was fit and available for selection, he opted to put him on the bench for matches against Bournemouth and Sevilla. During the manager’s pre-game press conference, it wasn’t clear whether he intended to re-instate the Belgian. Media outlets differed in their interpretations of his quotes.

It was therefore most welcome when the team sheet was announced ahead of Sunday’s match and Kompany’s name was on it. City have failed to keep a clean sheet during his period of absence; they’d not conceded a goal in any of the games he had completed before it. After suffering a loss of form in 2014/15, he instantly re-established himself as a leader this season. It should not have come as a surprise that, at Old Trafford, a defence once again marshalled by Vincent Kompany was not breached. It is probably safe to assume that now he has been brought back into the fold, he’ll stay there. On form, he is one of the best centre-backs around – his reinstatement could prove pivotal as City battle to be the best team in England.

The story surrounding Kompany would make it easy to overlook the contributions of his defensive partner on the day. Argentinian Nicolas Otamendi was given the nod over Eliaquim Mangala and he justified his selection and then some. Whilst it would be fair to say the Blues weren’t spoilt for choice, he was City’s best player on the day, putting in what was by far his best performance since moving to Manchester from Valencia. He had Wayne Rooney in his back pocket throughout, was aggressive in the tackle without being reckless and every block and intervention was judged to perfection. This might not have been a vintage team display, but City’s rear guard action was excellent and, after a questionable few weeks at the back, this will inspire confidence that they have corrected their biggest deficiency.

Wilfried Bony

How much time is enough time to judge the Ivorian striker on? There is plenty of mitigation for his slow start to life in Manchester, but hope is fading fast amongst the Etihad faithful that Bony will prove to be a worthwhile acquisition. Sunday’s match was like Bony’s City career to-date in a microcosm – as time wore on it became increasingly clear that he is not suited to the style of football that City want to play.

When the Blues paid £28m for him in January, they were operating with two strikers and it was easy to see how he would slot in alongside Sergio Agüero. The manager has, for the most-part, abandoned that system, preferring one striker with three creative players behind him. All evidence so far suggests the former Swansea man doesn’t have the skill set to be the one man up top in this City team. He doesn’t combine well enough with the players around him, though a good performance against Bournemouth provided hope in that regard when he and Raheem Sterling wreaked havoc on the opposition.

It isn’t strictly his fault. He is a square peg in a round hole; City regress to being long-ball merchants if he is on the pitch and things are going against the team. He wins enough headers and flick-ons, but then there is nobody around him to pick them up, meaning possession is immediately conceded. There can be no question over his effort, but with the highly regarded youngster Kelechi Iheanacho waiting in the wings and making a good impression, it might only be a matter of weeks before Wilfried Bony is reduced to being his club’s third choice striker.

Yaya Toure and Kevin De Bruyne

City fans have come to expect a lot from Kevin De Bruyne in the short time he has been with the club. He looks good for a goal or assist a game and is happy taking the creative burden for the team. Sunday marked his first disappointing display; every pass was misdirected or under hit. It’s feasible that this is a result of fatigue. In fairness to the Belgian, he didn’t go missing – he wanted the ball throughout, he just didn’t deliver as we know he can. At this point, he’s already earned enough credit to be allowed an off day.

What was more alarming was the performance of Yaya Toure. At his best, the midfielder is talismanic. It has long been a tactic at City to use him in an advanced role and that is exactly what happened against United – he was pushed up into the middle of the three players behind Bony, with Jesús Navas dropping to the bench. However, in every aspect of his performance, Toure fell short. He did not hassle the opposition as he needed to and, in chasing down loose balls and in possession, he was a yard off the pace. This arguably had an impact on De Bruyne – without Toure moving around and dragging United players out of position, the £54m playmaker was easily crowded out.

The result

For the negatives that were evident as United dominated the second half of the game, the quality of City’s defence must not be overlooked, both in terms of individual performances and the unit as a whole. Without being swashbuckling or even entertaining, Pellegrini’s men took a good point away from their title rivals to return to the Premier League summit.

If that passes as an off day this season, Manchester City fans have every reason to be optimistic for what successes the campaign will yield.