Manchester United stumbled out the top four after losing to Manchester City in the Premier League at the Etihad Stadium. City went ahead in the 5th minute courtesy Kevin De Bruyne, the maestro midfielder slotting home after some cute play out wide with Jack Grealish and Bernardo Silva. Although Jadon Sancho equalised City dominated the second half, De Bruyne involved again in the second after some majestic play by Phil Foden as he almost single handedly scored a wonder goal by himself. The effort rebounding to Grealish and then rebounding again to De Bruyne who couldn't miss from close range.
The second half was dominated by the hosts with the visitors unable to get a single shot on target, But two quick goals by Riyadh Mahrez in the second period. The Algerian curling the ball into the left hand corner from a corner kick for the first with the second coming from a ball put through by Ilkay Gundogan for Mahrez to finish in stoppage time.
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Harry Maguire was culpable once again at the back as the defensive issues continue for Rangnick's men.
Harry Maguire was defensively at fault for both of the goals United had conceded at the start of the game. De Bruyne scored both goals at the start of the game, Maguire noticeably at fault for the first goal, frozen in stature following the cross into the box. With the second goal not cleared a mix up in the area allowed for De Bruyne to bundle in with questions around Maguire and Victor Lindelof's defending inside the box.
The centre back has been criticised numerous times in a United shirt lacking consistency in one on one situations especially from normal play off the left and right hand side. The defender must show more control and composure when in such situations and anticipate to clear the ball when called upon in such situations.
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Jadon Sancho is finally finding his stride in a United shirt
Probably the player who showed the most fight for Man United was Sancho who also got on the scoresheet. After struggling to find any form early on in the season he has now started to show signs of the kind of player he can be for Ralph Rangnick's men. In this particular game he scored a brilliant solo goal finding half a yard to curl the ball beyond Ederson into the right hand corner.
Compared to Aston Villa's Jacob Ramsey, Sancho has been compared to the upcoming youngster from Villa's academy. The numbers are promising and staggering showing Ramsey to be a tad better than the United winger. Sancho has shown glimpses of how good he can be. We can be sure to see his world class play in the prospective future in all competitions.
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Marcus Rashford has lost his groove recently becoming an impact player off the bench?
Marcus Rashford has been poor recently for the Red Devils on the field not having an impact in his set position. But having been used off the bench quite a lot without starting games he could be seen as a current impact player considering his form at the moment on the pitch.
A lack of service in behind or just in a poor spell, questions surround the forward as he is heavily relied on upfront to bring the successes considering Mason Greenwood's departure after he was arrested but released on bail pending further investigations. With the saying form is temporary, class is permanent coming to mind Rashford will be hoping this is just a temporary blip in his career.
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The Red Devils had no shots on target in the second half
With five shots on goal, only two on target compared to City's who had many more shots at a count of 24 with 10 on target this showed the hosts dominance in this game as United soaked up the pressure in the second. Their best play being within the first half with Sancho converting as the visitors tried to catch the hosts on the break as City pressed high up the pitch.
Man City's possession count was way better than Man United's in this game the hosts holding 70% possession over United's 30%. The blue side of Manchester also held the better of the passes with 753 completed to United's 331.