It was an agonising defeat for United at Old Trafford as they lost out in the Manchester derby.
Enzo Maresca found victory in his first-ever outing against the Red Devils as City boss, winning in controversial fashion.
Manchester United boss Michael Carrick will be rueing a missed opportunity against a ten-man opposition, and feel his side could have pinched three points.
We’ve discussed five learnings from the game.
Sesko should have started
Matheus Cunha doesn’t suit playing in the No.9 position to play there regularly for Manchester United, and it showed as the Red Devils struggled to create chances against Manchester City.
It’s not as if the Red Devils don’t have options there – Slovenian centre forward Benjamin Sesko started from the bench and was only brought on in the 67th minute after the visiting side took the lead through a controversial Erling Haaland goal that appeared to be offside.
While Cunha took the joint-most shots of any player, the Brazilian just wasn’t the right profile centrally up against the likes of Marc Guehi and Ruben Dias. Benjamin Sesko is needed next week.
Dorgu drops left-back standard
Patrick Dorgu offered United a great attacking threat in midweek against Sabah FK, when he picked up an assist, but the Dane just isn’t as good as Luke Shaw.
Neither Rayan Cherki nor Phil Foden, the latter sent off early in the match, particularly gave Dorgu too difficult a time, but the 21-year-old just isn’t a natural defensive option, hence the Red Devils looking to play him further up the pitch.
Red card suited City
The red card handed to Phil Foden by referee Michael Oliver for kicking out at Bruno Fernandes looked to have handed Manchester United an upper hand, but the decision in fact changed the game in City’s favour.
Like last season against Everton, Manchester United were poor with a numerical advantage, and Enzo Maresca’s men thrived on the break when exploding into space left behind.
That’s how they got the winning goal, however controversial – through an attack down the wing and a cross into Erling Haaland.
One-dimensional play returns
United’s play against ten men wasn’t just poor, it was one-dimensional and lacking in inspiration.
Flashes of the first game of the season against Hull City – the Red Devils never really managed a clear cut chance and the game had run away from them by the 5 minutes of added time.
Michael Carrick will be looking at his side’s poor football and be hoping to improve on that during the upcoming international break.
Poor start to season
The 1-0 loss to Manchester City leaves United looking at a poor start to their Premier League season overall.
The Red Devils have taken just one win from four matches (against newly promoted Ipswich), and sit in 13th in the table.
A trip to Fulham at Craven Cottage next weekend will determine the mood at Carrington heading into the international break. Michael Carrick and Manchester United will be aiming to win that and make their situation look nicer after the first five outings.
Erling Haaland celebrates offside goal against Manchester United
Erling Haaland celebrates offside goal against Manchester United