For 45 minutes, Manchester United at least had an excuse to fall back on as to why they were behind against Man City. Despite an encouraging first-half performance, Ralf Rangnick's side went into the break 2-1 down after Kevin de Bruyne's brilliant brace, though there was some encouragement at how their team had performed.
If not for individual errors, United might well have kept City at bay. Instead, their defensive fragility was once again exposed on a day when star centre-back Raphael Varane was missing through Covid.
It would still be a big stretch to say United would have avoided defeat with him fit, but there is certainly an argument to suggest the first two goals conceded would have been avoided with his expertise in the backline.
