The Derby 17/1/2026

[gjblues]

Just a few observations, from a City pov, on the game, now that the anger/despondency has dissipated somewhat.
First of all let me say the scoreline greatly flattered us – United by far the better team on the day and thoroughly deserved the win – they had three goals ruled out by VAR for marginal offsides, and they hit the woodwork twice. That’s that out of the way.
In respect of City:
We had four of our current first choice/experienced defenders, Dias, Stones, Nunes and Gvardiol unavailable due to illness or injury. As a result, Pep was forced to field two 20 yr old’s, a 21 yr old and Ake (who isn’t fully match fit) as our starting back four. There are quite a few (alleged) City fans on social media calling for Pep’s head – ridiculous, for me he’s got a job for life, if he wishes. His only mistake, imo, was not to have two in the pivot as holding MFs (Rodri and Gonzales) thus providing additional protection for that back four.
We are also still in the rebuilding stage and although second in the PL, there’s no way we are good enough to be considered title challengers this season. The acquisition of Guehi (if it gets over the line) and Semenyo is excellent for us but they will take time to settle in. We still need a RB – Nunes has done ok and has improved this season but for me is not the longer term solution in that position.
Dalot’s potential red card after 10 minutes. I’m not saying that he should have been sent off and can understand the VAR review confirming the yellow was correct. However, I’ve seen similar incidents go the other way and had that been the case, the game would have changed as Carrick would have to reorganise United’s formation.
Overall, still very disappointed but after analysing, not quite as pissed off as I was 24 hours ago.

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[maverick1973]

Dalot should have been sent off and banned for life,just because he is brain dead.I’ve never seen such a useless so-called football player in my life,and this coming from a United fan!

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[gjblues]

Lol. As I said above, Mav, it could have gone either way. Certainly if the ref had shown the red, VAR wouldn’t have asked him to go to the monitor to review.
One thing that really frustrated me was that once both your FBs had been carded, Doku and Semenyo very rarely took them on. You’d have thought that should have been the plan.

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[maverick1973]

There is no discussion about if he should have been sent off,straight red card without any hesitation!Stupid referee!

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[Rover]

City need a whole new defence, their fallbacks are so dumb. Pep continues to select the same weak defenders cause success does that to you it makes you so stubborn and defy anyone and everyone that have different opinions to you.

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