An afternoon to forget: United slump to 3-0 loss to Man City in attacking disaster class

Manchester United slumped to a 3-0 loss to Manchester City on Sunday afternoon, following what was a non-existent attacking performance.

While Man United exhibited multiple flaws at the back, it was their lack of shooting and testing the goalkeeper that gave City the confidence to take advantage despite appearing vulnerable themselves.

First half

A little over 20 seconds in, Erling Haaland almost put the hosts in front when his shot from the left drifted past the far post, with Altay Bayindir doing well to stand his ground.

Benjamin Sesko got his match off to a strong start, pumping a left-footed shot in from outside the box that Gianluigi Donnarumma did well to save. At just four minutes in, it was a bright start to the contest from both sides.

United almost conceded when the defence placed Bayindir under unnecessary pressure. While Haaland raced toward the loose ball, the United keeper slid in bravely to recover the ball.

17 minutes in, the hosts broke the deadlock. Jeremy Doku weaved past the United defence, sprinting into the right side of the box before lobbing the ball to Phil Foden in the centre, who headed the ball past Bayindir’s glove.

It was an unfortunate goal for United to concede, given how competitive they appeared to be up until that point.

Six minutes later, City came close to doubling their lead, with Tijjani Reijnders taking a blistering shot that Bayindir did well to save.

In the 28th minute, Bryan Mbeumo appeared to beat the offside trap, racing past the last defender only to balloon his shot over the crossbar. Still, the linesman flagged him for offside.

United won a free kick after Patrick Dorgu was elbowed to the floor by Abdukodir Khusanov. Bruno Fernandes whipped in a threatening ball, only for Donnarumma to catch it.

While United got a corner in stoppage time, a stubborn City goalkeeper punched the ball out of danger.

As the teams made their way down the tunnel for half-time, it was clear that United needed to find a way to get more shots on goal in order to capitalise on their opponents’ vulnerabilities.

Second half

United got the second half off to a slow start, with City dominating the early stages with some strong attacking runs.

In the 53rd minute, City doubled their lead. Haaland raced into the box, getting on the end of a through ball by Doku and leaving Shaw in the dust.

Moments after the restart, United almost conceded a third. Matthijs de Ligt thumped a pass out of the final third that the home side intercepted, with Haaland yet again getting on the end of the counter. This time, the Norwegian’s shot whizzed past the keeper and hit the far post, with Leny Yoro clearing the rebound out of danger.

On the hour mark, United finally had a threatening shot – their first since the fourth minute. Mbeumo did phenomenally to get on the end of a cross to hit a hard volley toward the far post, which the City keeper did well to stop at full stretch.

With just under half an hour to go, manager Ruben Amorim decided to make some changes. Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo replaced Leny Yoro and Noussair Mazraoui.

Moments later, City were on another break, with Bernardo Silva crossing to Haaland. While the striker took a decent volley, Bayindir did well to stop it.

Then, United stumbled yet again. After handing the ball to City just in front of the halfway line, the hosts decided to capitalise, with Haaland bursting through the defence and receiving an opportune through ball. The striker confidently slotted the ball past Bayindir, handing the hosts their third goal of the afternoon.

In the 73rd minute, Ugarte received the ball from Amad on the edge of the box, firing his shot wide. Still, it was one of just three efforts on the afternoon. United seriously needed to do more to produce shots so as to have any hope of scoring.

Moments later, City were on the break yet again. Reijnders came within inches of scoring, getting on the end of a quick counter and sending his shot wide of the far post.

With ten minutes to play, Amorim made another double change. Casemiro and Joshua Zirkzee came on to replace Ugarte and Sesko.

In the 85th minute, Casemiro almost got on the scoresheet moments after coming on. Following a corner, he received the ball just metres away from the goal line. Unfortunately, he tapped the ball wide, albeit from an offside position.

With four minutes of added time, it appeared as if United were simply looking to run down the clock, showing no desire to push forward and challenge the City defence.

Sadly, it was an afternoon to forget for United. It appears that Amorim could certainly find himself in the hot seat given the shambolic start to the season that his side has endured.

Starting XI: Bayindir, Mazraoui, De Ligt, Fernandes, Dorgu, Yoro, Amad, Mbeumo, Shaw, Ugarte, Sesko
Subs: Maguire, Mainoo, Casemiro, Zirkzee

Featured image Michael Regan via Getty Images

Mathew Cohen

A faithful Manchester United supporter, Mathew has worked as a football writer and analyst for SB Nation, FanSided, and now The Peoples Person. Mathew’s heroes include David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Sir Alex Ferguson, all of whom played their part in creating some special childhood memories.