"Simply avoid making any foolish choices." Clearly, that was the main worry for the players who stepped onto the pitch at Old Trafford for the Manchester derby. Mission complete, we suppose, but there truly isn't much else to express for either party apart from that.
The first half came to life only occasionally – mainly through Manchester United counter-attacks that they failed to convert. Similar to the previous encounter between these teams, it highlighted how distant both have been from the Premier League summit this season.
The latter part of the match presented a slightly increased tempo, a touch more rhythm, and a hint more readiness to attempt actions not strictly dictated in the pre-match video briefings of both teams, which has become a troubling trend for elite clubs this season. And these two sides as well.
Both City and 4 performed better than they did in that dreadfully dull match until very late in December, yet there was a clear feeling that the occasion affected everyone’s minds. It's evident in players' footwork when they are too scared to take any risky actions that could potentially result in, you know, penetration and goals and everything associated with that. Oooh, it's really not worth the risk, is it?
This was particularly evident for Manchester City, and it still feels odd to witness, even after most of this season to adjust to their inability to consistently dominate opponents into defeat.
There is no better place than Old Trafford to highlight the challenge of reclaiming that skill. Sir Alex Ferguson accomplished it repeatedly over generations; that’s what established him as the greatest ever and maintained United as the top team for an extended period. Their inability to accomplish this after the Scot's exit still troubles them.
Pep Guardiola's dedication to a prolonged tenure at the Etihad indicates that he is ready to embrace that same challenge. Despite all his achievements, the query of whether he can do it is one he has never had to address previously.
That inquiry is particularly relevant just days after Kevin de Bruyne revealed he will depart the club at the season's conclusion. The playmaker has not performed anywhere close to his best, even when healthy, over the last 18 months – and he wasn’t performing well here, either – but his soon-to-be exit still carries significant symbolic importance regarding City’s current phase in their life cycle.
If City make the right moves this summer, they can view this season as a valuable lesson that their exceptional team from the late 2010s and early 2020s ended just before they recognized it.
United have certainly moved far beyond that, naturally. Ruben Amorim's job of assisting in constructing the team from scratch will truly commence in earnest this summer. Until that time, his greatest hope is that his team does not humiliate themselves in the league and presents their best efforts in the Europa League.
In the upcoming season, both groups of supporters will anticipate much more than merely avoiding embarrassment.
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