That is a headline that always stings to write, but when you lose 6-3 there is no polite or mitigating way to put it. It must be said that Manchester City are arguably the best team in the world right now, given the rate at which they score goals and the ungodly form of Norwegian striker Erling Haaland. The man (alien?) had scored 11 goals in his first 7 matches for City, and he added three more today against United. Winger/forward Phil Foden also scored a hat trick, making it the first time since 1930 that United have allowed two hat tricks in a single match. City manager Pep Guardiola has needed a dominant center-forward to complete his well-oiled (get it? cuz City are owned by Kuwait!) football machine, and I am terrified to say that he has certainly found one. Haaland may look like a Disney movie villain, but for all City supporters (of which there are like 40) he is surely a hero.
This match was lost in the first half though. City came out in front of their home support at the Etihad with energy and determination, while United looked slow and significantly off the pace. City got four of their six goals in that first half, and it was effectively over after 45 minutes. United’s previously competent looked a shambles in terms of possession and passing, and the defense was nowhere to be found. It’s true that City are world-beaters right now, but United did not really do much to challenge them in the opening 45 minutes.
The second half was much improved, despite the score line suggesting the match was over. New signing Antony dos Santos got his first Manchester Derby goal with a nice curler on 56 minutes, with striker Anthony Martial bagging a late brace, with one goal coming from the penalty spot. Sadly, Haaland and Foden added another goal apiece in that same span of time, so the result was never really in doubt for them. I am proud of the fight back though, however too late it may have came. Last season this team would have just quit and stopped trying, but the goals scored today can give us something to build on for the next match and rest of the season. We didn’t lie down and surrender like the United of the past season or so. We kept at them, kept playing, and actually won the second half 3-2.
No need to dwell on this one, as much as it hurts losing to City. Today’s loss does not shake my confidence in manager Erik ten Hag in any way. We just need to be quicker out the gate next time. If we played in the second half like we did in the first half today, it’s a different result. City were just too far away by the time we were able to change things. I really hope Martial stays fit going forward, as he seems to be the perfect striker for ETH’s system.
Onwards and upwards. United travel to the small island nation of Cyprus on Thursday for a Europa League match with Omnia Nicosia. Improvement is expected, and I think improvement will be delivered.
4-4-2 