Jack Grealish sends Sofyan Amrabat to the shadow realm without even touching the ball

Jack Grealish bamboozled Sofyan Amrabat without touching the ball during Manchester City’s encounter with Manchester United.

City took command of the Manchester derby at Old Trafford courtesy of an Erling Haaland brace either side of halftime.

Phil Foden subsequently added a third in the 79th minute, tapping in Haaland’s cross to put United to the sword.

Indeed, other than a spell early in the first half City were in complete control of the game, which served as another reminder of the stark difference in quality between the two sides.

The game was encapsulated by a moment in the first half when Grealish shrugged off Amrabat’s challenge without even touching the ball.

Under pressure from Amrabat, Grealish looks to collect a bouncing loose ball.

And in an attempt to deceive his United counterpart, the England international dropped a shoulder before turning in the opposite direction, completely dumbfounding Amrabat, who fell to the floor. Grealish didn’t even touch the ball to beat his marker.

Amrabat has had a topsy-turvy start to life in England, since moving to United this summer for an initial loan fee worth £8.5million.

The Morocco international has struggled to find his best form in midfield, having also operated in an unfamiliar left-back position at times for Ten Hag.

Indeed, Amrabat lost possession some 20 occasions in a defeat to Crystal Palace earlier this month, having endured a torrid time against the wily Jordan Ayew.

The is left to BBC Five Live pundit Chris Sutton to give a scathing verdict of the ex-Feyenoord man.

Sutton said after the match: "He’s not looked comfortable in that left back position today, like a fish out of water.”

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Topics: Manchester United, Jack Grealish, Manchester City, Sofyan Amrabat, Premier League

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.