As the fans disappeared from Old Trafford, so did plenty of optimism for the upcoming season. With just four points from the opening four games, it’s beginning to look like the same old story once again for Manchester United.
The nature of a derby game means that sometimes a team can’t learn many lessons, whatever the result. Unfortunately for Michael Carrick, that was not the case today as his side delivered a dismal performance to lose 1-0 to 10-man Manchester City.
United were on the end of a controversial VAR decision as Erling Haaland gave his side a memorable win at Old Trafford, but while the refereeing will dominate the headlines in the immediate aftermath, it was a poor outing from the hosts.
Much has been made of the defensive frailties in Michael Carrick’s side, and that was evident again as Haaland snuck in to steer his side into the lead on the hour mark. It was a poor goal to concede, but it threatens to mask the other glaring issue in this United side – an incoherent and under-performing attack.
For all the talk of leaking goals far too easily, it is also true that United struggle to create chances. They are far too reliant on counter-attacking, often looking out of ideas when asked to control possession and pile pressure on teams. For all the encouraging play in midfield, there is a lack of invention and cutting edge in attack, especially if Bruno Fernandes has an off day.
It’a been a theme of the season even after just four games. Parts of the win over Ipswich were encouraging, though even then the quality of the opposition has to be considered, with a penalty and a lucky deflection helping to turn the tide of the game. There were no goals against the back five at Hull, while Bryan Mbeumo took matters into his own hands for the opener against Everton.
Barring Marcus Rashford, this is not an attack that looks to take on a man and beat him. Even when it’s worked into crossing positions there is rarely anyone to aim at, with a lack of a striker telling this afternoon before Benjamin Sesko came on. Matheus Cunha has offered little so far this term, and the false nine experiment is verging on bewildering now that Sesko is seemingly fully fit. Even set-pieces, so often a reliable weapon last season, rarely produce any real threat.
United might have thought they were blessed as Phil Foden was sent off in the first half after lashing out at Bruno Fernandes, but it felt at times like the one-man advantage worked against them. City might have offered counter-attacking opportunities if both teams had had 11 men – instead, the advantage only served to expose more shortcomings.
The sending off left City needing to climb a mountain of sorts, though United’s defensive frailties showed once again, even with a one-man advantage. Patrick Dorgu’s poor header kicked off the move, with City working it wide before Josko Gvardiol’s deflected cross arrived at the feet of Haaland, who fired in at the back post.
United toiled in attack as they tried to find an equaliser, with their attacking play frenetic and uninspired.
The inspiration can often be provided by a moment of magic from Fernandes, or individuals such as Mbeumo’s last week. It was almost the case again as Marcus Rashford hit the post from a free-kick and Kobbie Mainoo’s long-range effort also rattled the woodwork, but there was no sustained pressure from the hosts.
United too often look toothless in attack without moments of individual quality carrying them through, and that was the case again as City eased to their first win at Old Trafford in three years.
The visitors can thank Gianluigi Donnarumma for a superb stop to deny Mbeumo in the 95th minute, but it would have been a goal that the hosts did not deserve. After 95 minutes of abject attacking, their first clear-cut chance of the game came seconds before the final whistle.
In the end, a contentious refereeing decision and a great City performance will steal the headlines, but they won’t be enough for United to hide behind this time; it won’t take many more displays like that before questions start to be asked of Michael Carrick.
