David de Gea punched the ground with fury after Phil Foden scored Manchester City's fourth goal against Manchester United on Sunday afternoon. He did not think he would concede four goals in 45 minutes again this season after the Brentford debacle.
City scored those four goals in front of the Etihad's South Stand, where United's supporters were housed and thus forced to watch as Foden danced with Erling Haaland in celebration in the corner. That was enough for some of the travelling contingent to stomach, with a stream of supporters choosing to leave the Etihad before the referee's whistle halted the onslaught that was unfolding.
Sir Alex Ferguson's face then emerged on the TV screen and he looked like he wanted to join the supporters that were dashing for the inviting Etihad exit doors. Ferguson trudged back into his box at half-time instead and he sheepishly emerged after the break, with the performance invoking unwelcome memories of his side's own 6-1 defeat by City at Old Trafford in October 2011.
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United's performance was horrific on that afternoon and the defeat suitably came a week before Halloween. It was said that Ferguson has since refused to talk about that 6-1 humiliation but it would have been playing on his mind at half-time on Sunday.
Ferguson infamously claimed in 2009 that Man City would never be favourites heading into a Manchester derby, as he did not think such a significant power shift in Manchester over a decade would be possible, but it has been and that was sobering this weekend.
United should not concede six goals in any football match, never mind against their rivals, and it was another unacceptable performance, but they have become commonplace over the last 18 months. The unacceptable displays are now accepted.
Such performances have tragically become normal. It was the worst season of the club's history for decades last term and there were countless post-mortems after defeats, like when Liverpool and Man City embarrassed United home and away, or when Brighton scored four goals to no response at the Amex. The low points have been relentless and they have spilt into this campaign.
Any TV producer that is worth their salt has found Ferguson in the stands during those performances. His reaction during the Liverpool debacle at Old Trafford last season immediately went viral, with the legendary 80-year-old reduced to fragility. Ferguson was pictured appearing desolate and almost inconsolable that day.
His reaction at the Etihad this weekend was different and that was something most United supporters have related with. Ferguson did not look desolate, his face was expressionless, hidden under a blanket of disappointment, acceptance and frustration instead.
The element of shock was absent, which meant Ferguson was unmoved as his face was broadcast across the world, representing a tangible symbol of just how far United have regressed since he retired. Ferguson did not look surprised at the scoreline.
That is a damning indictment of how far the standards at the club have spectacularly fallen. United were disappointed to draw in the Manchester derby during Ferguson's premiership, but they are now thankful for a half-time whistle when four goals down, which rescued them by offering protection in the dressing room.
United have won just three trophies - the League Cup, FA Cup and Europa League - since Ferguson retired and City bettered that haul with a domestic treble alone in 2018/19, which highlights the painful chasm in quality between the two clubs.
City are run like an elite football club and United believe they are an elite football club - that is the difference. City's dominance in the Manchester derby has been no coincidence, it has been earned through gradual, strategic decisions.
A fish rots from the head down and United are grossly inferior to their rivals due to years of consistently incompetent decisions. Erik ten Hag has the challenge of improving United this season, but it already feels like there is a ceiling above the Dutchman.
The Glazers are awful custodians and they commit grievous business decisions for being successful in business. They don't know how to run a football club, or they simply do not care as long as their dividends are paid, and that is ultimately why embarrassing defeats like Sunday's have become commonplace. They are responsible and there will be no real change until they sell United.
Some have argued that Ferguson has been complicit in the Glazers' shackling of the club. Ferguson championed the Glazers during his reign, he has never criticised the Americans in public, despite their obvious failings, and he is still involved at United to an extent.
That is a decision for Ferguson to make and that decision will be respected regardless, however, his voice would add a level of pressure onto the Glazers that has not been seen before, and it could be the catalyst for a change in ownership.
After goals from Antony and Anthony Martial in the second half, the 6-3 scoreline actually flattered United at the Etihad. The scoreline did not reflect the extent of the hosts' dominance, but the performance did show where United are in the bigger picture.
The brutal low points will simply continue to happen with the Glazers at the club - change is desperately needed.
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