{"id":297512,"date":"2023-10-30T00:27:02","date_gmt":"2023-10-30T00:27:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportstons.com\/?p=297512"},"modified":"2023-10-30T00:27:02","modified_gmt":"2023-10-30T00:27:02","slug":"man-utd-given-reminder-of-ed-woodwards-worst-error-in-horror-derby-defeat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportstons.com\/soccer\/man-utd-given-reminder-of-ed-woodwards-worst-error-in-horror-derby-defeat\/","title":{"rendered":"Man Utd given reminder of Ed Woodward’s worst error in horror derby defeat"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Boos rang around Old Trafford at the final whistle as Manchester United suffered a disappointing 3-0 defeat to rivals Manchester City. Express Sport picks out five things learned from United’s fifth Premier League loss in 10 games.<\/p>\n

Woodward’s biggest mistake<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Manchester United’s reluctance to pay the necessary money to sign Erling Haaland back in January 2020 is looking more and more foolish every week. Ed Woodward ultimately felt it was too much money for a player unproven on the world stage, but that fee Dortmund paid for Haaland then represents a bargain on today’s world.<\/p>\n

Manchester City have since capitalised on United’s hesitancy and Haaland has now twice single-handedly led Pep Guardiola’s side to victories over the Red Devils with five goals now in the derby. Considering how much United have struggled for goals over the past few years, it must hurt seeing Haaland rip it up on the other side of Manchester.<\/p>\n

Injuries costing United defensively<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Losing Lisandro Martinez until the New Year has certainly been a blow to Ten Hag, but not having Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia or Aaron Wan-Bissaka has ultimately forced the United boss to play a makeshift back line. Jonny Evans wouldn’t have been expected to be starting a Manchester derby at the age of 35 and having left relegated Leicester City in the summer.<\/p>\n

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He was guilty of leaving Haaland unmarked at the back post for City’s second of the match. United will be a better unit when everyone is back fit, but Ten Hag has to figure out a way to ride out the wave of injuries that have cost them dearly at the back to start the campaign.<\/p>\n

Midfield all at sea<\/strong><\/h3>\n

It might be Erik ten Hag’s biggest problem to fix at the moment in trying to get his midfield clicking. Another game where United have lacked any structure in midfield with their opponents able to pick their way through the middle of the pitch.<\/p>\n

Bruno Fernandes doesn’t suit playing out wide while Cristian Eriksen, Mason Mount, Sofyan Amrabat and Scott McTominay look like strangers to one another. United look like a team of individuals too often and City are too good of a team to not take full advantage of that.<\/p>\n

One-sided derby<\/strong><\/h3>\n

It’s now six derby wins for Manchester City out of the last seven matches against their arch rivals. Pep Guardiola appears to have figured out a way to get the better of United on a regular basis and doing so at Old Trafford is even more devastating.<\/p>\n

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