Manchester City were too hot to handle for Manchester United as they raced to a 4-0 lead at half time with United fans leaving the stadium in the first half.
United restored some sort of pride by scoring three goals in the second half after Man City added two more goals. The game ended 6-3.
It reflected United’s emptiness and lack of fight as they were utterly humiliated by Manchester City with Erling Haaland collecting another hat-trick to become the first player to do so in three successive Premier League home games.
There was also a hat-trick for Phil Foden. With no City player having scored one in a derby since Francis Lee in 1970, here was two in one game with Haaland taking his goals tally to a phenomenal 17 in just 10 games. So having waited 52 years City had two hat-tricks against United, just nine minutes apart.
The home fans chanted “we want 10” and mocked their opponent’s efforts to try and get back into the games with “oohs” as they strung passes together or even had a shot. When Anthony Martial scored a late consolation some City fans even mockingly cheered. What an indictment. Somehow United scored three which, on the balance of play, was a huge anomaly.
All the optimism of four league wins was banished for United. This was Brentford all over again – and then some – and while City are clearly a stronger side it will have hurt even more given the supposed rivalry. Rivalry? Even to use the word is a joke given the gulf between City and United.
Sir Alex Ferguson sat in the stands and his face betrayed his feelings. A mix of anger and discomfort which was felt, surely, by Erik ten Hag in the dug-out as he sat forlornly watching on and surely wondering what had happened to the cussedness United have shown of late.
Their lack of fight was shown with Raphael Varane suffering a first-half injury, turning his ankle, and looked like he could not get off the pitch quick enough as he was substituted.
Everything that City do is in combination. Everything that United do is in isolation.
(Telegraph UK)
