The Manchester derby was contested on Sunday with both teams in the Premier League’s top two… payrolls. City began the game 4th, while United started the game in 13th. There were world-class players all across the pitch and none of them played like it.
The most recognizable player on the pitch was Erling Haaland, who had 21 touches. This is not a reflection of the stout defense United played but rather of who Haaland is as a player—and maybe more importantly, of who he isn’t. Haaland doesn’t impact games at all if he doesn’t score. He’s not going to hold the ball up or link play in attack.
The Manchester derby showed the worst of Haaland and Kyle Walker, who late in the first half, dived in an attempt to get a United player sent off. This encapsulated City’s form, doing the worst possible job to get a bare minimum result.
The game looked over and all it had to show for it was a deflected cross that led to a header from City defender Josko Gvardiol to put City up 1-0. Then in four minutes, one Matheus Nunes blunder, and an impressive run and finish from Amad Diallo, United were ahead 2-1.
United fans were celebrating after seeing an abomination of a football match saved by poor mistakes from their rivals.
City fans are left to wonder what happened to this team that has won the previous six of the last seven Premier League titles.
Lineup Changes Instore for City
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again. The Manchester Derby showed City that they must look to change the formation, personnel, or system.
City need to drop Erling Haaland. An insane idea, yes, but what is City got to lose? Nothing is working for them and with a ton of games coming up Pep could play it off as “rest”.
Dropping Haaland would allow City to move the ball between eleven players effectively. Right now City cannot move the ball into the middle without fear of losing possession. Phil Foden has played awful this season and was even worse at the Euros. However, Foden has played well in a false nine role for City before.
If City aren’t going to drop Haaland, the least they can do is play some balls over the top for Haaland to chase. Haaland was a problem at Borussia Dortmund when he had to run in behind defenses. He scored 62 goals in 67 Bundesliga games. Before I continue my next section, I’m going to watch his BVB highlights.
The United Farce Continues
You (clap) Are (clap) Not (clap) Fooling (clap) Me (clap)! I see through the fog. Manchester United were two horrible City mistakes away from losing to a piss-poor City team. A loss would’ve made it three in a row in the Premier League. Ruben Amorim is no closer to solving this Manchester United problem than he was before the game.
United is far from looking like an Amorim team. I’m not saying it won’t happen, I think Amorim is a good manager, but he could get swallowed up by the United drama machine.
Amorim dropped two United academy graduates (Garnacho and Rashford) from the team. He made it sound like they didn’t train hard. Amorim has thrown down a gauntlet and it could work as much as it could backfire. A lack of a result against City and it could’ve blown up in his face. The margins are thin at the top level.
United has Tottenham in the League Cup, followed by Bournemouth, Wolves, Newcastle, and Liverpool, all in the league. These games are a mixture of tough opponents and winnable games. By then, we will know how much this Manchester derby reflected United’s progress or City’s demise.
Manchester Derby Part Two
The next scheduled Manchester Derby occurs in three months (March 15th). By that time we will have more evidence on if City were able to turn this season around. United will either look like an Amorim team or not like an Amorim team.
January reinforcements and a potential decision in a massive court case are on the cards for City by then.
If the decision breaks in their favor and if they buy a potential Rodri replacement, City could look like the title-winning side many expect them to look like.
On the red side of Manchester, United could look different too. A January exodus of United players who don’t fit Amorim’s system would give them a lot more clarity on their future. Whatever could or might happen, one thing is certain: The Manchester derby on March 15th will be rich with storylines.
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Featured Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images
