City falter and United… also falter? My current perspectives of the sworn enemies, and do we need Rashford anymore?

After a raucous late 2-1 win at the Etihad on Sunday, United fans such as myself were in absolute jubilation. It was a different kind of performance, one which we haven’t seen in the past from United against City. They tried to control the game. They tried to have possession against City, rather than hitting on the counterattack at every given opportunity. Now, against a strong City, this approach would inevitably be bulldozed, as was seen when Gvardiol scored the opener for City and the first half ended without much energy.

And then…. Amad Diallo, you little dancer. 🕺🏻

He won the penalty for Bruno’s equaliser, and then scored a fantastic winner. He has been the bright spark in each one of Amorim’s games. He needed to go on loan to Sunderland and Rangers to develop himself, but the evidence is clear, he is one of United’s top players.

With regards to City, Pep is overseeing a disastrous run of results. 1 win in 11 and he looks battered. But there are several reasons for their current demise:

• a huge number of injuries in defence
• a stagnating Kyle Walker
• no ballon d’Or winner Rodri
• playing Gundogan in every game when due to his age and return, you would have expected him to a be a bit part player
• not having a settled midfield or one capable of defending sensibly, at this moment in time
• an injured Kevin De Bruyne only recently returning from injury
• not knowing how to solve the Jack Grealish issue, he looked good as a no.10 against Forrest and in the champions league, but then put on the bench and coming on as a left winger in the league. He looks devoid of confidence
• Phil Foden and Haaland performing suboptimal and not at their best by any stretch.

As you can see, it is a cumulation of factors that has led City to be where they are, and I am surprised that they haven’t sorted any of the issues in terms of tactics and performance. I suspect January may be the time for a possible rebuild, because he has not strengthened the squad in recent years as much as he would have liked.

Back to United, where after consecutive defeats in the league against Arsenal and Forrest (we look absolutely awful at defending set pieces), the elements are there to show why we decided to go with Amorim. He has a great personality and charisma around him. His tactics have looked good so far and fundamentally I don’t think he has the players to do what he wants to do, and thus time on his side will work wonders. I think with a new no.9, a new left wing back and possibly a new multi-faceted midfielder to come into the side either in the 2 in front of the defence, or the 2 10s, his team could start to take shape.

The deadwood needs to be gotten rid of. I have been saying this for years, however, the situation around Rashford has now, in my opinion, become untenable. He has been left out of the squad to face City, and now Tottenham in the Carabao Cup. He has spoken in the media about needing a new challenge, and I absolutely loved Amorim’s response: ‘Rashford’s new challenge is the new United, United is a better team with Rashford in it’. If he goes, I think people will be ok to see him leave. This gives the manager what he wants, the ability to be seen to be imposing his authority on the squad. United get pure profit in revenue. It seems like a win win.

My standout United players so far this season:

• Ugarte under Amorim has looked ever bit of the player we thought we were getting. A pitbull, a tackler. He will continue to be an ever present in his starting 11.
• Amad Diallo – what. A. player. This system suits him fantastically. The other players look for him to see if they can make a pass. He does well in tight spaces. He is technically brilliant but also rapid and tricky.
• Onana – let’s forget about his recent mistakes, he has made some fantastic saves this season.
• Mazroui – technically he is fantastic. I don’t think United fans realised how good he was going to be.
• Fernandes – as ever, he is everything this United team need. What a player. If United ever win, it is usually down to his magic.

Honourable mentions:

• Hojlund – when he gets a proper run of form and gametime, he will fly. I really like him a lot and I think people forget how young and inexperienced he is.
• Garnacho – the arrogance aside, he is obviously one for the future and a great player.

Who won’t work in this system and need to be sold:

• Antony
• Rashford
• Lindelof
• Casemiro
• Malacia
• Eriksen

I have not included Mainoo in any of the lists as he has been injured but wow. That boy will be Manchester United’s starboy for years to come. Absolute dream of a player, the type to make you say wow every time he glides with the ball. Reminds me of how the United fans felt about Ronaldo.