Ten-man United beaten in Van Gaal’s first Manchester derby

Tuesday, 4 November 2014 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Reuters: Manchester United’s belated resistance proved in vain when they were beaten 1-0 away to Premier League champions Manchester City in Louis van Gaal’s first derby as manager.

The clubs’ 151st league meeting was decided by a goal from Argentina’s Sergio Aguero in the 63rd minute after United centre half Chris Smalling had been sent off in the first half for two yellow cards. With Rafael Da Silva missing the game and Marcos Rojo forced off in the second half, a makeshift United defence comprising Antonio Valencia, Michael Carrick and teenagers Paddy McNair and Luke Shaw came under increasing pressure. The surprise was that City were pushed back and suddenly looked edgy once they had scored. In the end, City were pleased to hang on for a fourth successive league win over the neighbours – the first time that has happened since 1970. The other depressing historical note for Van Gaal was that he has now presided over United’s worst start to a season since 1986, when Ron Atkinson was sacked and Alex Ferguson appointed. The result left United in ninth place, with 13 points from 10 games and no away wins. City meanwhile returned to within six points of leaders Chelsea, two behind second-placed Southampton.