Manchester United’s momentum following the Brentford massacre vanished after being thrashed 6-3 in the Manchester derby.
Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Phil Foden both scored hat-tricks as Pep Guardiola’s side humiliated Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium.
Ten Hag could have been forgiven for thinking his team had turned a corner after winning four Premier League games in a row, including back-to-back home victories over Liverpool and Arsenal.
But, as at Brentford Community Stadium, the Red Devils went into the halftime break trailing the opposition 4-0.
With an inquest scheduled for tomorrow at Carrington following today’s humiliating defeat, we look at Manchester United’s four worst players against Manchester City.
Manchester United’s worst performers vs. Manchester City
Diogo Dalot
The Portuguese right-back entered the derby in top form and with his confidence high after scoring his first senior goals for his country.
However, United’s number 20 paid the price for being too eager to begin the game against City.
Dalot wanted to get close to Jack Grealish, and after a neat turn, the former Aston Villa captain had the right-back booked within a minute.
When trying to defend against the tricky Grealish in his first Manchester derby, the former Porto man looked like a rabbit in the headlights.
But he will undoubtedly learn from the experience and recover.
Tyrell Malacia
The Dutchman, like Dalot, was playing in his first Manchester derby, and, like Luke Shaw at Brentford, was taken off at half-time today.
Marcus Rashford’s hospital pass resulted in United’s number 12 pulling down Foden and being booked for a professional foul, which didn’t help his case.
Malacia couldn’t stop Foden from slotting home his second of the game on the stroke of halftime, despite City being three goals up.
Malacia was given the runaround by Foden after impressing against Liverpool and Arsenal.
Bruno Fernandes
In the first half, you wouldn’t have known Fernandes was on the field, and the former Sporting Lisbon player struggled to get involved in the game.
United’s number eight, who was once again wearing the captain’s armband, became frustrated in the second half as City cruised to a big win.
Fernandes was booked for arguing with referee Michael Oliver, and both he and Christian Eriksen struggled to have an impact on the game, being wasteful and reckless in possession.
Jadon Sancho
In the days leading up to today’s derby, we predicted that Sancho would steal the show.
With his place in Qatar seemingly on the line with every performance, United’s number 25 would not have piqued Gareth Southgate’s interest for the right reasons with his latest performance.
The former Borussia Dortmund star has struggled for consistency since joining the Red Devils, and he must address this if he is to be considered for a late World Cup call-up.
With both Rashford and Anthony Martial returning, Ten Hag will need to step up his game as competition for a starting spot heats up.
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