United View: A disappointing but not surprising Derby defeat

A humbling defeat in the Manchester Derby has become an all too familiar and unwelcome feeling for Manchester United.

The 3-1 loss once again showed the disparity between the two sides, as City marched on in search of a fourth consecutive title, while United stumbled in their bid for a top-four finish.

Erik ten Hag refused the claim that this match highlighted the gulf in class between the two sides, stating that injuries and that his side had opportunities. He also said that his side has shown in the past that they can be competitive against ‘the best team in the world.’

On Sunday, United were without several first-team players including Rasmus Hojlund, Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martinez, and Mason Mount amongst others. Injuries are a common part of football, but years of poor squad planning have meant these absences have decimated United’s team.

The defeat at the Etihad was the 24th different defensive combination this season, having to play Victor Lindelof as a makeshift left-back again, whilst Johnny Evans who only re-joined United for fitness originally, had to cope with Erling Haaland for a second time this campaign.

United set themselves up to sit deep, frustrate City and hit them on the counter. After eight minutes, that gameplan was in full swing with Marcus Rashford producing a stunning long-range effort.

With a depleted squad and players running on fumes, it’s easy to understand why United set up this way. There isn’t much to criticise in terms of effort, the Reds defended well out of possession but succumbed to City’s relentless pressure and Phil Foden’s wonder strike.

A second Foden goal gave the Blues the lead with ten minutes to play and a third goal from Haaland in stoppage time just rubbed salt into the wounds.

For Manchester United having to come to the Etihad and play in such a conservative fashion, shows how far they have regressed. The Manchester Derby was often a one-sided affair, and it still is, the roles have just reversed.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe said in his recent interview he aims to knock City and Liverpool off their perch, but this defeat shows it will take a great effort to achieve this. And no Champions League football will make this task even more difficult.

The Reds are now 11 points off Aston Villa and would need both them and Spurs to have an almighty falloff and hope the Premier League are allocated an extra spot in next season’s Champions League.

Thankfully, United are still in the FA Cup, after Casemiro’s late winner against Nottingham Forrest sets up a Quarter Final against Liverpool at home. Whether an FA Cup win will be enough for the manager to convince INEOS he should be in charge at the start of next season is unforeseen.

Interestingly, in his recent interview, Ratcliffe said any manager would need to adhere to the club’s playing philosophy. And given Erik ten Hag’s rigid playing principles it will be curious to see if these two ideologies align.

These questions about the manager’s future will continue to crop up, just as it did with the four previous managers of Manchester United. Erik ten Hag will either be the final casualty of the old regime or the first of the new era, time will tell which one will come true.

I still believe he should be allowed to work in an effective sporting department but simultaneously it’s understandable if Ratcliffe wants to bring in someone new. After spending £1.3bn on the club, there isn’t much room for sentiments.

A result against Everton on Saturday would be a good start, after the disappointment of the defeats to Fulham and City.