#365DaysOfWriting – Day 125

Manchester City win the Derby (1–2) at Old Trafford

So is it time to panic already? #MourinhoOut?

Haha, just joking. If us Red Devils are to be true to ourselves, we should’ve seen this coming. Manchester City under Guardiola is a lot more than the loss of Aguero. A draw would’ve been a fair result, given United’s comeback in the 2nd half, but there’s no shame in denying that the better team won.

Worrying signs for Manchester United.

1. Henrikh Mkhitaryan (the one with the unpronounceable name) was leaden-footed. Does he have an injury? What happened to the charismatic midfielder from Borussia Dortmund? It’s time the medical team took a look at him. Which is what I’m sure is being done now.
2. Paul Pogba was conspicuous by his absence in midfield. Sure, there were a few sparkling runs and a couple of good passes here and there, but he’s not taking charge like he’s meant to. Fellaini has had more of a presence than him in midfield (not taking anything away from Fellaini, he’s actually played well this season so far). Midfield needs a lot more spark.
3. Daley Blind had his first REALLY terrible game for Manchester United. He can never be a physical presence, but his awareness and skill on the ball is what he’s known for, and both those facets were missing today. Safe to say that both goals were results of defensive errors on his part. We’re missing Smalling at the back.

But there are positives.

1. The introduction of Rashford and Martial infused a sense of urgency into the proceedings. United were a much better team in the second half – but it was too late. Pep smartly changed tactics and frustrated United at every turn. Otamendi was my Man of the Match (and to think that he could’ve been in a red shirt instead of blue).
2. De Gea still made some very smart saves and was the better keeper. Bravo was all over the place. Alas, the better keeper lost. But we’ve still got the best keeper in the Premier League.
3. Rooney, although many see him as a liability (even me on occasion) has proven to be an important player who is willing to fit in any position for the betterment of the club. That’s what matters in the end, and even though he may not be scoring, boy do we need him.
4. Zlatan proved again why he’s one of our best new signings. Although he did mess up the opportunity for a second goal (when Rashford’s drive clipped him on the way to the goal, and he was offside), he’s shown a willingness to go up and down the pitch and when he strikes, he scores most of the time. Granted, he was frustrated by Otamendi in the 2nd half, but there’s no denying he’s our best goal scoring chance right now, along with the youngsters.

So where to from here? For one, Martial and Rashford, or at least one of them, HAS to start. Mkhitaryan needs to be observed from a medical standpoint, and Blind needs to go back to being his best aware self. And Jose Mourinho, for God’s sake, please remember that the game of football has a first half, not just a second.

Anyway, onwards we march in the Premier League! Glory, Glory Manchester United…