Goals in either half from Rodri and Julian Alvarez sealed a comfortable 2-0 victory for Manchester City over Sheffield United this afternoon. The world champions ended a year which saw them win five trophies in dominant style, finishing the game with over 80 per cent of possession.
United had a couple of chances, Will Osula heading at Ederson in the first half and Jayden Bogle's shot blocked by Nathan Ake in the second, but they could not lay a glove on the reigning Premier League champions on their own turf. Here's how we rated United's players...
![Used his athleticism and pace to good effect to snuff out a couple of dangerous City moves after a clever pass down the sides threatened to result in a sight at Foderingham's goal](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2023/12/27/16/19/SPI_267_SB_Sheffield_Utd_Luton_.JPG.jpg?trim=0,951,655,77&width=800)
5. Auston Trusty 6
Used his athleticism and pace to good effect to snuff out a couple of dangerous City moves after a clever pass down the sides threatened to result in a sight at Foderingham's goal | Sportimage
![Came in from the cold to try and keep Walker quiet and often used every inch of his Premier League 'experience' when in trouble in possession, by going to ground under pressure from Walker from behind](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2023/12/30/16/36/GettyImages-1887525675.jpg.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
6. Luke Thomas 5
Came in from the cold to try and keep Walker quiet and often used every inch of his Premier League 'experience' when in trouble in possession, by going to ground under pressure from Walker from behind | AFP via Getty Images
![Couldn't do enough in the tackle to prevent Rodri bursting past him and firing City into the lead in the 14th minute. Had to be alert to bail out Robinson after he lost the ball in a poor area but was caught in possession himself later on the edge of his own box](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2023/12/30/16/41/GettyImages-1894897751.jpg.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
7. Vini Souza 5
Couldn't do enough in the tackle to prevent Rodri bursting past him and firing City into the lead in the 14th minute. Had to be alert to bail out Robinson after he lost the ball in a poor area but was caught in possession himself later on the edge of his own box | Getty Images
![Recalled in the absence of Hamer and had United's first attempt at goal with a mishit cross that almost caught out Ederson as he collected it right on his line. Did his share of defensive work but like the rest of United's side was left chasing shadows for much of the game as City just moved the Blades about](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2023/12/30/16/52/GettyImages-1887514786.jpg.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
8. Ollie Norwood 5
Recalled in the absence of Hamer and had United's first attempt at goal with a mishit cross that almost caught out Ederson as he collected it right on his line. Did his share of defensive work but like the rest of United's side was left chasing shadows for much of the game as City just moved the Blades about | AFP via Getty Images