VIDEO: Manchester United down to 10 men following Chris Smalling's 2nd yellow card
Manchester United's hopes of beating Manchester City for the first time since 2012 took a major hit Sunday after defender Chris Smalling was sent off in the first half.
Referee Michael Oliver sent the English defender off in the 39th minute after Smalling committed his second foul in the space of eight minutes.
As James Milner ran down the right flank, Smalling recklessly slid into the City defender and was subsequently sent off.
Smalling earned his first yellow card for obstructing Joe Hart's kick in the Manchester City box in the 31st minute.
It was Hart, however, who was lucky to avoid being shown a card when he made face-to-face contact with Oliver as he argued Smalling's foul.
A positive result for 10-man United seems like a remote possibility now against the defending Premier League champions at the Etihad Stadium.
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