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The 20-time English champions are now 11 points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa with 11 games left, and that surely spells the end for the manager.
Manchester is blue again, and despite all Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s talk about Manchester United overthrowing Manchester City over the course of the next three years, it will take a special effort to permanently dislodge Pep Guardiola’s team from their position of supremacy when it comes to this local rivalry.
Although City had to come from behind to beat United for the first time in Premier League history on Sunday, they were the dominant force throughout at the Etihad Stadium and fully deserved the three points that keep them one point behind leaders Liverpool. facing the next round. matchup of the week at Anfield.
Aside from Marcus Rashford’s impressive first goal, United barely managed to get a shot off from then on, and although they defended valiantly for long periods, they were eventually beaten by another local lad, with a Phil Foden brace helping City to a victory. by 3-1.
Foden, meanwhile, maintained his sensational recent form, while Erling Haaland got back on the scoresheet despite missing a golden opportunity early in the game. The Norwegian remains the face of Guardiola’s team, but there is no doubt that Foden has been the main driver of his success so far this season.
Success is something that still seems distant for United, while even qualification for the Champions League for next season now seems fanciful at best. Back-to-back defeats have left Erik ten Hag’s side 11 points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa in the final 11 games of the season, while the potential extra place on offer for the team that finishes fifth could even be beyond them now.
GOAL analyzes the winners and losers of the Etihad Stadium…