Manchester City was too hot to handle for Man United as they defeated their neighbours 6-3 with United fans leaving stadium in first half.
Unplayable Erling Haaland and Phil Foden both scored hat-tricks at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
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.
By half-time, a large number of United fans streamed out of the stadium, not to return. Long before the end only a few remained in the Etihad.
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.
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.
Much had been made of the disparity in height between United centre-half Lisandro Martinez and Haaland and after 18 minutes, Martinez chose to pick on someone his own size. He kicked Grealish and Gundogan hit a post with the resulting free-kick.
Much had been made of the disparity in height between United centre-half Lisandro Martinez and Haaland and after 18 minutes, Martinez chose to pick on someone his own size. He kicked Grealish and Gundogan hit a post with the resulting free-kick.
In the 31st minute, De Bruyne had a shot tipped over by De Gea. But it was all just postponing the inevitable: which was that Haaland would score.
In the build up to De Bruyne’s shot, United wanted the game stopped for an injury to Raphael Varane.
The defender went off for treatment and, while this was happening, Haaland took advantage.
Was Christian Eriksen really the man who was meant to pick up Haaland at corners? If so, ten Hag needs his bumps felt.
The striker lost him as easily as one might baffle a two-year-old in a game of hide and seek, and De Bruyne put the ball straight on his head from the corner.
Haaland outjumped McTominay and Malacia could not retrieve the ball before it crossed the line. The outcome was no longer in doubt; just the margin.
De Bruyne and Haaland were a lethal set-up and finishing team, but this time they both combined in the service of Foden.
De Bruyne put Haaland away and his cross fed Foden at the far post for his second of the game.
Even when United got three back in the second-half – a fabulous shot by Antony the best of them, before Anthony Martial scored late with a header and a penalty– the noise level did not drop. ‘The city is ours,’ they sung. And a lot more, no doubt, before the season is out.
Erik ten Hag shared his view on his side’s embarrassing 6-3 loss to Manchester City on Sunday.
He said: “am surprised why we didn’t bring it on the pitch, I have seen a different team and spirit, and we did not look convinced. I have to talk to my players and find out why.
“I will show the team tomorrow we could have been on the front foot. In the first goal, we won the ball and could have created a chance and gave it away. That is unacceptable.
“It’s quite simple; it’s a lack of belief. When you don’t believe on the pitch, you can’t win games; that is unacceptable. We get undisciplined at following rules, and you get hammered; that’s happened today.
“At half-time, we changed things, and we changed attitude.
“We saw a different Man Utd after half-time, and we scored goals, we created some more.
“On the ball, we were more brave, came in the opponent’s half, and scored three goals.
“In this moment, I can’t think about the positives. We let our fans down and ourselves down, and we’re hugely disappointed.”
Manchester United favourite Roy Keane says their defeat at Manchester City today is ‘hugely embarrassing’ for the club.
“Every time Man City went forward they looked like they were going to score. City were magnificent. Watching them live, they are one of the best teams I’ve ever seen.
“A huge setback for Man United. We’ve been giving them a little bit of praise over the last few weeks. 4-0 down at half-time, they were 4-0 down at Brentford and the performance in the second-half…it’s no good.
“Even if it is a consolation to score a few goals, the game is over. Man City switched off, they made those substitutions.
“Nothing for Man United to take out of this game. I think from the players point of view, they should be embarrassed. You can’t go in at half-time 4-0 in a derby game.
“It is hugely embarrassing, as brilliant as Man City were, United were desperate, particularly in midfield.”
Football lovers have since taken to Twitter to react to the game.
Popular Nigerian tweep, Daniel Regha, said: “Man United played a good game; Sure the club l¤st but at least the team was able to score 3 goals which is a big deal cos scoring against Man City is difficult. United fans should be happy there’s improvement in the team, maybe by next season the club w!ll be a top contender.”
President Buhari’s aide, Bashir Ahmad weighed in Man United loss to City, tweeting: “Manchester United and Manchester City; this is no longer a derby, far from it. It is only a show of total superiority. To minimize the humiliation and embarrassment, Manchester United need to make it 6-5 before the final whistle.”
According to Richard Jolly: “This is the first time Manchester United have conceded four goals in the first half since August.”
David Kabanda wrote: “We are fundraising for Manchester United Supporters. I am told most of them are on oxygen.”