Manchester United were out-classed and over-powered by Manchester City in an embarrassing 3-0 defeat in Sunday's derby which compounded their poor start to the Premier League season. Luke Shaw was the worst of a terrible bunch of defenders while Benjamin Sekso's abject first start summed up the team's limp attack. United have just four points from their first four games and it could get worse before it gets better as they face Chelsea next.
Shaw was culpable for all three goals, the first scored by Phil Foden before Erling Haaland ran riot in the second half, while United's defence also had no answer to the electric Jeremy Doku.
Altay Bayindir, picked ahead of new signing Senne Lammens, made no actual howlers for once, but he still looked shorn of confidence and was outshone down the other end by City's new goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who made an excellent save from Bryan Mbeumo.
GOAL rates United's players from the Etihad Stadium…
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Altay Bayindir (4/10):
Looked like a bag of nerves after starting ahead of new signing Lammens. Made a dog's dinner of Yoro's backpass, spilled a Reijnders shot back into the danger-zone before eventually gathering and didn't put up much resistance to any of the goals.
Leny Yoro (5/10):
Made some important interventions but still not good enough when it mattered, such as when he got on the wrong side of Doku leading to the second goal.
Matthijs de Ligt (6/10):
The only defender who ended the game with some dignity. Looked in despair as he tried to clean up his team-mates' mess.
Luke Shaw (3/10):
Not good enough in all the key moments. Managed to be at fault for two reasons for the opener as he was dazzled by Doku then failed to spot Foden coming in behind him. Bludgeoned by Haaland for the second goal. He averted another goal with an expertly-timed tackle on Haaland, but it counted for little as he lost the ball to Bernardo leading to the third.
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Noussair Mazraoui (6/10):
Did well in the circumstances, driving United forward on occasions and doing what he could to mop up at the back.
Manuel Ugarte (5/10):
Another demonstration that he can't do much more than tackle. Broke up the play a few times but his passing kept on letting him down.
Bruno Fernandes (5/10):
A clear example that he should not be playing in midfield. Was ball-watching when Foden nipped in behind him to score and didn't offer enough control further back.
Patrick Dorgu (4/10)
Poor defensively and not incisive enough going forward. Too passive against Bernardo, his failure to clear the danger leading to City scoring. Was persistently up and down the left side but repeatedly botched his deliveries.
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Bryan Mbeumo (6/10):
United's best player and yet still a disappointing game by his standards. His lethal volley repelled by Donnarumma was his side's best efforts and although he got in good positions, his finishing let him down.
Benjamin Sesko (4/10):
Perhaps this is why he had not started the last three league games. Used his arm to control a through ball and didn't even control it well. Had one weak shot on target and barely got in the game.
Amad Diallo (6/10):
Had some exciting moments and kept on going when many others appeared to have given up.
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Kobbie Mainoo (6/10):
Gave United some much-needed tranquility on the ball and led a few promising attacks.
Harry Maguire (4/10):
Thrown to the lions by Amorim and was eaten alive. Lost the ball leading to the third goal and was predictably destroyed by Haaland in the sprint.
Joshua Zirkzee (N/A):
Thrown on in the 80th minute to give the team more presence up front but couldn't be expected to make much impact.
Casemiro (N/A):
Missed a sitter from a couple of yards out.
Ruben Amorim (4/10):
A terrible game that further erodes his authority. Continuing to play Fernandes in midfield was a mistake and Mainoo's good performance showed he should have started the homegrown midfielder. But more than individual errors, the team's lack of cohesion and heart was striking, and does not reflect well on him.