4-1. Manchester City 4 Manchester United 1. Complete annihilation, probably worse than that 6-1 debacle a couple of seasons back.
This is because not one United player – bar Wayne Rooney – put in the effort or played with the heart that is required once that elusive red jersey is pulled on.
United looked lost and insecure, and they couldn’t take control in the middle of the park, even if their life depended on it.
It was painful to watch; a stark reality check that winning and winning well won’t come as easy now that their beloved knight, Sir Alex Ferguson, has retired.
But there is really no need to panic as it was only the fifth game on the new season; one that has been interrupted so far due to internationals and the transfer window.
It’s not even the dead of September yet and supporters’ self-imploded by pushing the panic button with extreme force.
These are just some of the reactions that one has come across on various outlets. It’s good humour for your dire Mondays.
“The back four looked like drunk 50-year-olds enjoying a five-a-side on a Sunday afternoon, (while) Moyes was absolutely clueless today; he didn’t even bother trying to fix things up (and seemed) almost happy being four goals down.
“But what hurts me most is that we had greater quality off the pitch than on it. Sell Welbeck, Young, (Antonio) Valencia and Tom (Cleverley) as soon as possible and (we could) count ourselves lucky if we scrape a million for them.”
Now everyone is entitled to their opinion, but saying that is quite annoying, and ridiculous.
Ferguson asked for one thing, and that was to get behind the boss the same way loyal fans got behind him.
No one said this season would be easy and United are a team in transition, with multiple personalities that are trying to find which persona fits the champion title winning model.
It may take half a season, it may take several seasons, but it’s a ride United fans are going to have to take nonetheless.
People seem to forget that United are the champions, and that this side – bar Marouane Fellaini, Wilfried Zaha and Adnan Januzaj – won the league by large margin last season. And they won’t give in as easily as some predict.
United possess loads of quality and depth, all over the park at that. Once Fellaini gets his rhythm together and Moyes eases Shinji Kagawa back into the side, United should be a force to be reckoned with.
And after Januzaj’s cameo against Crystal Palace, it is safe to say that he is going to be a fantastic player in the future. Zaha too has shown flashes of brilliance on occasion.
On the senior statesman front, Rooney, who is here to stay, looks fit and in the mood. And along with Robin van Persie looks to be United’s main man.
Once Rafael returns from injury, it will provide more stability to the back four. While others like Nani, Welbeck, Cleverley and Javier Hernandez are in the mix as well.
There are so many routes United can explore with their starting XI, and Moyes is still trying to figure out what works best for him.
It is all quite simple really; fans have to trust the new manager and be patient.
It is all quite simple really; fans have to trust the new manager and be patient. Trophies are silver shiny things that come and go, but the club is one that never diminishes.
United fans should learn not to press the panic button and remember that while they can get knocked down, they are never truly down and out.
Zee
Roar Guru
Yeah I had a read about that, agreed with most points bar Danny Welbz, I am a staunch believer in his ability. He is still young, long way to go, but he seems to be excelling at international level quicker than he has been on club level... which needs to asked why? He is being played in his proper position with the Eng setup and gets better delivery. United's winger's have been underperforming. I wish Valencia can just drop this act, and take on his man rather than take a step back and compete with him at the same level. Long way to go with this season, and time will tell how much of a hospital pass Fergie gave
Steven McBain
Roar Guru
I wrote an article about this a couple of weeks back after they lost to Liverpool. I think Moyes could be a good ManYoo manager given time but he needs to urgently address his mind set going into these big games. They were very very conservative against Liverpool (and Chelsea) and against City it was like they expected to get beat. It's almost as if he's giving team talks to the Everton team still with the same expectations going into the big games. If you ignore the Swansea and Palace results (teams he would have tried to beat whilst at Everton), it's interesting that the one really good result he had was against Leverkeusen, a team that he had never played against at Everton hence it's possible the fixture held less instinct in him to be cautious as he couldn't recall a former experience. For me, he's still behaving like he's the manager of Everton and he needs to snap out of it. I also think United's team is not great right now. Rooney and RVP are top class but after that, you have two slightly creaking former greats at centre back, an improving but still iffy keeper, so so fullbacks, an immobile midfield and the likes of Ashley Young and Wellbeck who for me are not good enough to be challenging for the Champions League etc. I think the pass that Ferguson gave Moyes has a touch of 'hospital' about it..............
Zee
Roar Guru
DUDE ITS ONLY SEPTEMBER.. That is a ludicrous statement to make.. CHRIST
fadida
Guest
Press that panic button I say. Do you realise that in over 10 years at Everton, Moyes could never win away at either Man U, Arsenal, Chelsea or Liverpool. That's more than 40 games without success! In that same time all manner of "small teams" have won away at these clubs. And he couldn't even fluke 1 win??? He doesn't have big games in him Andy. He is negative, conservative and lacks the "ego" requied
Zee
Roar Guru
hehe of course, your enjoying it... wins, free flowing football, MESUT OZIL, Giroud scoring goals... life is sweeeeet in goon land
jamesb
Guest
As an Arsenal fan, I like the ladder the way it is ATM. Arsenal hasn't been on top of the ladder in donkey's years. As for United they have already played City, Liverpool, and Chelsea. A tough start to a campaign.
Andy
Guest
I think the fact everyone thinks Moyes doesn't have big games in him has put a lot of people off. What those complaining fail to point out is that Everton under Moyes likely had the best record against City, who were on of the best sides towards the end of his tenure (second only to his new club). The panic is ridiculous and the sense of entitlement felt by United fans is frankly embarassing. People crying after four games need a good hard look at themselves. Soon "fans" will be walking out of the stadium if things don't go to plan which shows how little they truly care about the club. The fact City would sell out week in- week out regardless of the division they played in says a lot about their fans. United fans could do with some serious humility. The side is still good but there have been deficiencies for all to see for several seasons now. They're hardly terrible but rebuilding/changing direction will take time. It's good for competition to see them not 5 points ahead already, and frankly this will be a great year for the Premier League, regardless of who wins.
Zee
Roar Guru
Well that's a good point, but they need to get over that because Moyes is the boss ... I know it may be a hard transition but, ffs its not impossible
jamesb
Guest
Man United have the quality and depth to win it all yet again this year. However, the problem could be in the dressing room. Can the players, who have won so many trophies, listen to a coach who has only won one trophy as manager, that was with Preston, winning the old second division?