The 188th Manchester derby did not go the way Manchester United - or Erik ten Hag - wanted it to. Despite scoring three goals away at Manchester City, the Reds were well-beaten by Pep Guardiola's side on Sunday afternoon as they fell to a 6-3 defeat in the Premier League clash.
City dominated proceedings and were worthy of their victory, with Erling Haaland and Phil Foden both registering hat-tricks for the reigning champions. United scored three consolation goals in the second period as Antony bagged a stunning strike and Anthony Martial returned from injury to get a brace.
United came into the game having won last their four successive Premier League matches, which included victories over Liverpool and Arsenal. The Reds had been much-improved in recent weeks, but were dominated by Guardiola's men.
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While the home side threatened to run away with the match in the early stages of the derby, Ten Hag's side managed to score three times and ensure the game ended with a more respectable scoreline than it looked like it was going to be.
Reds legend Gary Neville suggested after the game that it was important his former side finished the game strongly and ensured they got on the scoresheet, reflecting on something legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson used to tell his players on the rare occasions that they were losing heavily.
"The two late goals, I nearly said it in commentary, Sir Alex Ferguson... the times we were getting beat 3-0, 4-0, 5-0, he’d come in and say 'you got a goal' and it was 3-1, 4-1, 5-1, that’s important, never forget, it’s important, always finish the game with something that takes you into the next game," Neville said on The Gary Neville podcast after the match.
"The reality of it is you have to turn up next week, he [Ferguson] used to say it all the time and I never used to listen to it because when you get beat 3-1, you’re disappointed how you lost.
"I think it does matter that Manchester United scored two late goals, I think it will bug Pep a little bit - just a little bit - 6-3 he’ll think ‘that’s not what this game about, it was a 6-0 or a 6-1.' I think there were little things you can point across.
"The big thing for United is what we see over the next two or three weeks and the reaction from that, is that a blip off the back of a period of being dormant, not playing, strange period for the whole country then the international break where players come back late.
"There are things, I’m not making excuses, there’s no excuses from what I’ve seen out there today but I don’t think it’s something in the pass that’s a massive rot. I do expect them to be better and recover and put that one to bed straight away.
"I don’t expect that’s going to be what we’re going to see, if it is, then I’ll be sat here saying that’s the start of a major issue that’s developing, I don’t feel I’ve seen that today from United. They reacted in the second half and came up against something abnormal in Haaland and City."
Ferguson - who won 13 top-flight titles during his time at Old Trafford - was often praised for his man management skills, and Ten Hag and his players must take note of Neville's revelation about the former United boss. The Reds had been in good form prior to the Manchester derby, and while the defeat was certainly a set-back for the club, it is vital that United try and remain positive as they prepare for a busy scheduled ahead of the World Cup in Qatar.
With a Europa League clash against Omonia to come on Thursday night, the Reds do not have to wait long for the opportunity to put things right from Sunday. It is important that they understand how disappointing the defeat to City was, but also take some credit after hitting back in the match, albeit it with consolation goals.
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