On Sunday night, Manchester United lost 3-0 at home to Manchester City, suffering their fifth Premier League loss of the year after just ten games. Erik ten Hag’s team was easily destroyed to highlight their shortcomings.
Despite the massive sums of money that have been invested in the team over many years, the Red Devils’ mini-revival appeared to be on the verge of success after winning their last three games. However, their loss to Pep Guardiola’s team has shown just how much work remains.
United is stuck in eighth place, several points behind Liverpool in the top four, while Manchester City is still chasing a record fourth consecutive Premier League title. They are now two points behind Tottenham Hotspur in first place.
Performance of Manchester United against Manchester City
The game was decidedly appropriately concluded by the score of 3-0, as City’s 21 shots and ten on target far outnumbered the hosts’ ten, with only three of those attempts going past Ederson’s goal.
Erling Haaland, the Norwegian sensation who has now recorded five goals and three assists from just four meetings versus United, extended his incredible record against Manchester United with two goals and an assist. Haaland was largely responsible for Ten Hag’s downfall once more.
Manchester City / Engeland /
It was described by Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News as “predictably dismal” by the home team, who now have an uphill struggle to maintain their top-four finish from the previous season.
The fact that so many team members just did not show up for the assignment worries Ten Hag looking forward, especially given Marcus Rashford’s declining play.
The deterioration of Rashford was revealed
With 30 goals and 11 assists throughout the 2022–2023 season, Rashford was unstoppable and possessed the Midas touch in front of goal for United, which won the Carabao Cup (with Rashford scoring against Newcastle United in the final).
But in 13 games in all competitions this year, the England star has been a ghost of his former self. He has failed to leave his mark against Manchester City, managing only one goal and dishing out three assists.
There was a forgettable performance on a forgettable evening as a Red Devils content creator criticised him for his “awful body language” and his somewhat indifferent attitude towards the event.
Sofascore reports that Rashford only completed 69% of his passes, won just one battle, succeeded with just one dribble, lost possession 11 times, and was unable to create any significant openings.
The Manchester Evening News’ Samuel Luckhurst was not holding back in his criticism as he wrote in his post-match ratings: “Had one of United’s best chances at 0-2 but it is now one goal in 13 games and it beggars belief Ten Hag has not dropped him.” Nonverbal communication. A few fans applauded his dismissal.
Ten Hag will be concerned with Rasmus Hojlund’s persistent mediocre performance in the Premier League, even though Rashford was undoubtedly subpar and did little to redeem himself following yet another dismal performance.
Hojlund was “pretty bare.”
The absence of a dangerous center-forward threat for Manchester United was apparent in the previous campaign, so the big-money £72 million transfer of Hojlund from Serie A rival Atalanta was a wise choice for a gifted player with high expectations.
Hojlund, who only joined the Italian squad last season, amazed everyone with his ten goals from 34 games and his obviously remarkable origins. Talent scout Jacek Kulig called him a “monster in the making.”
Throughout his eight matches this season, the eight-cap Danish international has scored three goals in the Champions League but has not scored in any of his eight domestic games. He also suffered further setbacks in the Premier League against Manchester City.
Despite only accumulating 25 touches—less than half of Andre Onana’s 53 touches on the ball between the posts—the £85k-per-week striker was substituted after 73 minutes and did not have a fortunate evening at Old Trafford. He was successful in both of his dribble attempts and made two crucial passes, but he also lost possession seven times.
In addition, Hojlund emerged victorious from four of his seven ground duels and undoubtedly possesses the raw, innate skills necessary to thrive in the Premier League. However, his game has yet to fully develop, and more work needs to be done before he can confidently lead Manchester United against the best players while squandering any noteworthy direct opportunities.
The 20-year-old is among the top 17% of forwards in Europe’s top five leagues for successful take-ons, the top 13% for touches in the attacking box, and the top 2% for progressive passes received per 90, according to FBref. These statistics demonstrate his enthusiasm and drive when he blitzes into promising openings.
Unfortunately, against a disciplined and formidable City team—whose success speaks for itself under Guardiola’s tutelage and actually highlights the difference in fortunes for these esteemed neighbors—such qualities were not on display.
Hojlund replaced Rodri after 26 minutes. He was responsible for a careless mistake that gave Haaland the opportunity to score the first goal from the penalty spot. Although he had a great opportunity to make amends, the talented young player stammered during his speech.
In fact, Hojlund missed the mark with his shot after being let through on goal following an unusual error by Phil Foden. Pundit Gary Neville was among those who shook his head. Hojlund failed to show the necessary poise and dexterity.
“Hojlund had the chance right away to make amends for what happened at the other end,” Neville remarked in a commentary. The potential is undoubtedly there, but at this point in his career, he’s just not polished enough.”
There are many reasons to be optimistic. Although Manchester United is now having difficulties, there is enough talent to turn things around, and although the Theatre of Dreams is not exactly full of optimism based on recent history, Ten Hag made progress last season.
But when looking at it from a more practical perspective, the gap between the Manchester rivals is like a huge chasm, and the outcome on Sunday perfectly captures where both teams are at the moment.
This was demonstrated by Hojlund’s performance in comparison to Haaland’s, but the Dane has a lot of natural talent, and even though he was “lacking polish” against Guardiola’s team, there is little question that with some development, he will be a force in the years to come.
But his performance on Saturday was only the most recent indication that fans shouldn’t put too much stock in the young guy too soon and that more time will be needed for him to mature.
