Man City v Man United live: Reaction as Haaland brace gives hosts win over struggling rivals

Ruben Amorim’s tactical set-up has come under fire in the wake of Manchester United’s 3-0 defeat to Manchester City, with Gary Nevilleclaiming he’d need “Roy Keane and Steven Gerrard” in order to cover the gaps left in midfield.

United slumped to a dismal defeat as Erling Haaland scored a brace to inflict yet another defeat on Amorim, with the Portuguese now having won just eight of his 31 league matches in charge at Old Trafford.

Gaps in United’s midfield were clear throughout the match as the duo of Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte were overrun by Phil Foden, Tijjani Reijnders and Rodri, and it eventually told as United failed to land a blow on their cross-city rivals.

Phil Foden’s header and a brilliant Erling Haaland brace secured Manchester City a 3-0 derby victory against Manchester United on a day when the rivals remembered the late, great Ricky Hatton.

The city, and wider sporting world, was rocked by the death of the popular boxer on Sunday, with both sets of fans applauding during a touching pre-match tribute to the lifelong City fan.

Foden spoke of the players’ determination to do fellow Stockport-born star Hatton proud and helped them do just that at the Etihad Stadium, marking his first start of the season with a superb header from Jeremy Doku’s cross.

On Sky, Neville says that Amorim needs a quick turnaround.

“When Ruben Amorim first came I was heartened by them playing three at the back but every single game he changes the back three, which tells me he is not sure which back three he should play. And he changes the back five.

“There were a lot of individual errors out there today. Luke Shaw had one of the worst games I have seen him have. All three goals he could have done better.

“It was a nothing from United. They are 14th in the league only four games in and we all said that they can't be getting to October where they are 14th or 15th in the league or the manager will be in trouble. There are a few games to go but they have to start winning quickly,” he adds.

Ruben Amorim’s Premier League win rate stands at 26 per cent, with eight wins from 31 Premier League matches. He has only won four of 26 Premier League games against non-promoted teams.

United have failed to score in 13 of their 31 league games, finding the net just 36 times.

United have conceded 1.6 goals per game under Amorim and kept just five clean sheets.

With just four points from four games (W1 D1 L2), this is Manchester United’s poorest start to a league season since 1992/93.

Speaking directly to Sky, Amorim says that United “had a big team in the certain moments”.

“If you look at the three goals, we can avoid the three goals. We can be more aggressive.

"In these kind of games, with top teams the small margins will make the difference. The performance is not good, in certain moments they were better than us and in the end you don't have a good feeling,” he adds.

On where he feels United are at, he says: "We play against one coach that won seven Premier League titles and we are building things, trying to fight against these teams. I am not going to defend myself, it's always the same question, trying to protect myself. We need to do better.

"If I look to the game, last year we draw and won against City and today we were a little bit better but in the small details it was clearly not goof enough. We are building things but of course we need to win.

"I'm not happy. I didn't see one player in my team not giving the maximum. The rest is with me. The disappointment sometimes I feel we could run more, but I didn't have that feeling today. It's my fault, not their fault and I am fine with that.

"I know it's hard on our fans but again, I cannot point to one player [about lack of] effort. With game intelligence we can improve but that is my fault and we can improve,” he adds.

“The system is not helping the United players at all. At all,” says Micah Richards on Sky.

“All the defenders are going for the same ball for the second goal. It was three versus two and Haaland still ends up winning the ball and scoring.

“The lack of communication... if you are playing you have to be talking. It is a hard system to play,” he adds.

Ruben Amorim now has the unenviable record of having the worst win percentage of any Man Utd boss since the Second World War, according to Sky.

The Portuguese has just eight wins from his 31 Premier League games – since he took over, the ‘table’ from this period has United bottom on 31 points from 31 games.

Among managers to take charge of 20+ top-flight games with United, only Alfred Albut (20 per cent) and Scott Duncan (24 per cent) have a lower win ratio at this level in the league than Amorim’s 26 per cent.

"We could be more aggressive. The goals are avoidable. We suffer, we left two players 2v1. Haaland has all the space, confusion with our players,” says Amorim as he reflects on City’s opener to begin with.

"In these moments, if you look at the goals, there is moments we can avoid. City took it. Transitions, those moments, they were better than us.

On winning just one of his 31 Premier League matches, he adds: “I accept, it is not a record you should have at Manchester United. There are a lot of things you have no idea what has happened.

"But I am not going to change my philosophy. I play my way and I am going to play my way."

"I understand everything. It is normal. The result, I accept that. I don't see it that way, we are doing better than the results. The record says everything.

"My message to fans: I will do everything. Always thinking about what is best for the club.

"Until I'm here, I'll do my best. The rest is not my decision. I'm suffering more [than the fans],” he says later on.

A word on Donnarumma, who was impressive today despite not having an awful lot to do.

The Italian was a commanding presence in the box, dealing with plenty of crosses, before a brilliant save from Mbeumo when called upon.

He’ll have tougher tests, but it was a good start to his City career!

Guardiola is speaking to the BBC as he reacts.

"We are in a situation with a start we didn't expect and of course our opponents are so strong,” he says as he begins.

“We want to be close and still fighting for titles. The spirit was great, our players have a lot of pride and they want to try to do better on a special day. We saw our fans so happy and that is our job, so, so privileged.

"We have many things to improve. We are not yet a team but step by step. The victory helps us a lot. In the games we have had a lot of momentum and others not enough.

"They [Manchester United] have fantastic players and I know here we struggle against them, we have more better results at Old Trafford."

On Phil Foden: "He played incredible. He is a guy who loves to arrive at the box. Our last Premier League title he was the best player in the Premier League. We need him so much.

"The players have a lot of pride. Erling's commitment this season is unbelievable. Two games, seven goals is not bad."