After the 1:4 in the city derby, Manchester United is hailing criticism. Both the English press and club icon Roy Keane came down hard on the team.
When Riyad Mahrez made it 3-1 to Manchester City in the 68th minute, it would have taken a real explosion of performance from the Red Devils to take anything from the city derby. But instead, something happened that might have finally enraged the already annoyed fans of the Reds. ManUnited couldn’t get the ball back.
Or at least almost didn’t. In the last 15 minutes, ManCity had 85 per cent possession – and added the 4:1 in injury time. It was probably this last impression that stuck with them from what was – in the truest sense of the word – a one-sided derby.
“It was a difficult game that showed how big the gap to them is right now,” said coach Ralf Rangnick. “They are one of the best teams in the world and we have a long way to go to close that big gap. “
But was it really just ManCity’s class? Keane praised the Citizens for their performance. They showed why they were the champions. But he also recognised a major attitude problem at his former club. “United gave up, and that is unforgivable in a derby, in any game,” the former “aggressive leader” scolded into his full grey beard, calling the performance of some players “shameful”. These, the Irishman demanded without naming names, “should no longer play for United”.
The 50-year-old was far from finished. Some players did not go back at all, he said, which was “unacceptable. If you don’t get the ball anymore, then you have to go behind and fight duels.” And then he repeated once again what he said very often in the course of his analysis: “Shame on them. “
The English press also chose drastic words. “Damned United” was the headline of the Daily Telegraph. The “Daily Express” saw “Sad United torn to pieces”.
Ronaldo’s absence makes headlines
The starting position for the crucial weeks is tricky. United, in fifth place in the league, are just one point off the top flight but have played three games more than fourth-placed Arsenal FC. Then there are the rumours about the allegedly bad mood within the team. Cristiano Ronaldo scored only three goals under Rangnick. He was absent against City, which was quite surprising.
Rangnick explained it away with a hip flexor injury. Keane gave little credence to that narrative. “There seems to be more to it with Ronaldo,” he said. The talk of an alleged sprain in Ronaldo “doesn’t make sense to me”. The Athletic”, among others, reported that CR7 had flown to his Portuguese homeland before the derby, which is said to have caused astonishment in the team.
The fact that the mood is now in the doldrums comes at an inopportune time. The next tasks will not be easy: After the home match against the direct CL rivals Tottenham next Saturday, the second leg of the last 16 in the Champions League against Atletico Madrid follows on 15 March. ManUnited drew 1-1 in Spain.
