Manchester United’s recent history of a good record at Etihad Stadium is now merely a distant memory. The last two visits to Manchester City have been galling.
Ralf Rangnick oversaw a complete capitulation last season, with City scoring four on that day. The scenes this Sunday could also be described as a capitulation but in truth, it was worse.
After four wins from as many games, it looked like Erik ten Hag had arrested United’s frailties and he was finally getting a tune out of these fragile players. Maybe he has, we don’t know for sure.
But what we do know is that still, the smallest of setbacks is enough to completely scupper any thought-out game plan or strategy. This was, once again, on show at the Etihad Stadium.
With just seven minutes on the clock, United conceded the first goal. Up until that point, City could have scored on two or three occasions. Ten Hag’s men were bewildered as the game flew past them.
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Out of possession, it looked like United were two men fewer and with the ball, it looked like the only play available was to go long for either Marcus Rashford or Jadon Sancho, who mistimed their runs all afternoon.
Ten Hag didn’t have an answer for Guardiola’s neat ball retention and press resistance. Instead, City comfortably controlled proceedings in the middle third of the pitch and United never stood a chance.
The four wins are not enough to let these players off the hook but in those games, you could see embryos of a new mentality forging. That was all undone on Sunday.
City are an enchanting side at their best – when you allow them to be. United have not struggled with playing against City when the Reds have been at their worst.
You can throw the blame at anyone but in fairness, it’s probably a combination of a number of things. The players were not ready, which is inexcusable. The manager’s game plan was flawed and the attitude was clearly off.
In the grand scheme of things, we’re still only seven league games into Ten Hag’s reign and you still shouldn’t judge him on this result.
