By Adam Crafton
|
Following Manchester City's 4-1 demolition of neighbours Manchester United on Sunday afternoon, Sportsmail paid a visit to Manchester city centre to gauge the temperature of the rival fans.
The morning after the night before, United fans are feeling particularly raw, bruised after earning just one point and scoring one goal in fixtures against Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City.
We took a sample from the two sets of fans in the heart of the city, including a visit to In Control Finance offices, where two City fans, Debbie and Carl, were having a lot of fun at the expense of red colleague Stuart, while two more disgruntled United followers, Mike Anderson and Rick Kay provided their thoughts from the meeting room of Invasion Events.
Blue moon rising: Manchester City demolished local rivals United 4-1 in the derby game at the Etihad
Uppers and downers: Manuel Pellegrini (left) and David Moyes (right) had very different afternoons
Where did it all go wrong? Wayne Rooney was arguably the only United player to turn up for the derby
We also spoke to a number of supporters on the streets of Manchester, including match-going City fans John Kane and Josh Davies.
The results were explosive, as City fans claim United boss David Moyes will be gone by Christmas while United supporters fume with their team's performance and suggest they would be happy to finish FOURTH.....
Where was United's famous spirit at 2-0 down - would the collapse have happened under Fergie's watch?
James Harrison (Man Utd): We were expecting United to react after half-time. Under Ferguson, there'd have been a reaction. What were they doing in there at half-time? I'd love to have been a fly on the wall in the changing room. Were they just sat in there with their heads down doing nothing?
Warren Taylor (Man Utd): I can't believe we made no changes at half-time. We had been outplayed for 45 minutes. This was worse than the 6-1. That was bad enough but yesterday was just a demolition. They looked good yesterday. Kompany was outstanding. But they hadn't been playing well before yesterday - they lost at Cardiff, drew at Stoke, their manager is new.
Can't believe my eyes! Alex Ferguson can't have been impressed at seeing United taken apart by the 'noisy neighbours'
Jamie Wagman (Man City): Under Fergie, United would have come out and immediately pressed for a first and then an equalising goals. It's what us Blues have become used to over the years. Not on Sunday. They looked like statues. They seemed more interested in damage limitation than fighting back.
Barney (Editor of Man Utd fanzine Red News, founded in 1987): The performances at Anfield and City are nothing new, that's as concerning as the results themselves. We felt the Fergie factor helped carry the team over the line to be Champions and without that, the squad needed two or three quality additions. Without that and such a woeful transfer window, the team is prone to such big game fright. I hope Moyes gets the time he needs - which I admit does sound strange when we are the Champions.
John Kane (Man City): I would not have had one United player in that City team yesterday. Not a single one.
Better the devil you know? Many United fans claim the result would have been different if Fergie was still in charge
Warren Taylor (Man Utd): I agree, no United player would have got in that City team yesterday. Maybe van Persie if he was fit. You can maybe create an argument for Rooney but look how good Aguero and Negredo were.
Aki Zada (Man Utd): I don't think it would have happened like that under Ferguson. We would have thought back, maybe 4-3 or something more respectable. It looked like United just gave up. I expected a huge response after going in 2-0 down at the break.
Is David Moyes the right man for United?
Warren Taylor (Man Utd): David Moyes is probably the worst appointment I have ever seen in my entire life. Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho were both available this time last year.
James Harrison (Man Utd): It summed it up when David Moyes appeared as a pundit for ITV before the England v Scotland match. I don't think he respects the position he has at United. It's like making me President of the United States of America! He's the manager of Manchester United and there's work to be done. Mourinho's not on ITV, Wenger's not on ITV, so what the f**k is David Moyes doing on ITV?
Pressure: David Moyes has failed to get a win against any of the so-called big teams he has played as United boss
Debbie (Man City): I think Moyes will go by Christmas. Definitely. He doesn't have the expertise. I like Pellegrini but I liked Mancini too - he was very good looking!
Mike Anderson (Man Utd) : I was at Sir Alex Ferguson's final game at Old Trafford and I remember his words - 'Stand by your new manager'. You can't start writing Moyes after three or four games. We have a new manager, all new coaching staff - it's a big change. I was surprised by how much Moyes changed the back-room staff. We needed some continuity I felt.
Jamie Wagman (Man City): I would love to say Moyes is the wrong man for the job...but it is too early to say. Under Fergie, I would have expected them to do better than just ONE point from games against ourselves, Chelsea and Liverpool. All his whinging and excuses show Moyes for what he is. An average manager in way over his head...only time will prove me right or wrong.
Rick Kay (Man Utd): There was huge amount of frustration in the United end yesterday. Once it went to 4-0 and we brought Tom Cleverley on, we settled down a bit. We were still outsinging the City fans even at 4-0 down!
Aki Zada (Man Utd): I just blame David Moyes. Nobody was trying except Wayne Rooney.
In his shadow: Moyes was didn't fare as well as his counterpart Pellegrini in their first Manchester derby
Josh Davies (Man City): Moyes struggled in the transfer window and United haven't shown up in the big games against Chelsea, Liverpool and City. It's a bit hasty to say he is the wrong man but Moyes certainly needs to up his game.
Mike Anderson (Man Utd): Moyes is the first post-war United manager to lose his first games against both Liverpool and Manchester City - that does not sound great! To be fair, though, City have rarely been this good before. This is nothing against Moyes, but I'd trade the world to have Fergie back. This year, I would take fourth place and no trophies. As long as we finish in the top four. We have had twenty years on unrivalled success. We don't have the money of City and Chelsea so maybe now, without the best manager of all time, we are competing with Arsenal and Tottenham.
Edward Grandey (Man Utd): I'm behind the manager because it's early days. Man Ud have had the same manager for 27 years. The best manager ever. This guy has come in, he has never won a trophy and never managed in the Champions League. He has been consistent with Everton. It's only been six games. The flack may be a bit unfair. Look at Mourinho, he's come back and lost two games this week against Everton and Basel. And that's Mourinho, so this may be a bit harsh.
United were battered in the midfield - Is Fellaini good enough?
Warren Taylor (Man Utd): Fellaini was the wrong buy. Moyes picked the wrong team yesterday. When he changed it and Cleverley came on, it was much better. But it was also because City took their foot off the gas. He's never managed in the Champions League. We were awful against Chelsea, awful against Liverpool and awful against City. They are the three teams we have to beat. I would have taken a draw before the game because I was concerned.
Edward Grandey (Man Utd): Fellaini was not up to it. He is not a creative player. You can see the effects of the transfer window. We did not strengthen the midfield. We have no creative players. We were bullied off the park by Yaya Toure. Carrick is a general for United but even he struggled yesterday because he was next to Fellaini. Fellaini was like a headless chicken on the ball. Rooney was the only one who battled for us.
Hair raising: Marouane Fellaini (left) failed to make an impression against City's midfield
Jamie Wagman (Man City): I was a huge Fellaini fan when he was at Everton and I was slightly jealous when United signed him - if a little bemused by the 27.5million price. We paid 24million for Yaya. Fellaini was overwhelmed by the occasion on Sunday. Yaya was a titan. He lost Fellaini for the goal, too. Although it was nice to see Fellaini perform so badly...I do fear he will come good eventually!
Stuart (Man Utd): We need to buy about three players in the transfer window. Fellaini is ok. We needed Ozil. I want a creative midfielder and someone who can tackle. Carrick hasn't been right for three or four years. It's the midfield's fault.
Aki Zada (Man Utd): Fellaini might be ok but he was nowhere near his best yesterday. A game of that magnitude looked too big for him yesterday.
Wrong guy? United fans are already complaining the club should have signed Mesut Ozil
Carl (Man City ): It wasn't United's fault yesterday. City were just too good. They wanted it more. They battled harder, fought for every ball. The tactics are a lot better this season with Manuel Pellegrini. We look organised and going forward it's better.
Warren Taylor (Man Utd): We have lost Ferguson and David Gill so the transfer window was absolutely atrocious. Nobody wanted to sign for us! It was only on deadline day that we signed Fellaini - why didn't we go and sign Ozil? Look how good he has been already for Arsenal.
Wingin' it - How bad were Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young? And should Chicharito have started ahead of Welbeck?
Rick Kay (Man Utd): Ashley Young took a lot of stick from the United end yesterday. Antonio Valencia, too. We have creative, exciting players like Nani, Zaha and Kagawa. It's a shame to see these guys like Valencia and Young, who have about three assists between them in the last twelve months, being picked ahead of them.
Warren Taylor (Man Utd): I could do a better job than Ashley Young - and I'm overweight! I've seen milk turn quicker than Valencia. He is useless. Everyone knows that. He's lost his pace and every defender knows what he is going to do. He's easy to play against. Ashley Young is only going to cut back onto his right foot.
Bad day at the office: Antonio Valencia (left) and Ashley Young were well below their best at the Etihad
James Harrison (Man Utd): There is no inspiration. No young players are being given a chance. It was great when Chicharito first broke through a couple of years ago.
Warren Taylor (Man Utd): I can't believe Hernandez didn't play yesterday. Welbeck is like Bambi on ice. Woeful. He has got the touch of a baby elephant. He scores for England but England are woeful. He shouldn't be getting in the United team. Hernandez is one of the best finishers in Europe. He reminds me of Solskjaer. He gets into positions and gambles. Yesterday, Rooney came deep, Welbeck came deep and Hernandez would have run in behind and given City something else to worry about. He does tap-ins and works the six-yard box.
Why did Ferdinand and Vidic play three games in a week?
Edward Grandey (Man Utd): Rio and Vidic aren't as fast anymore. How could Moyes expect three great performances in a week from then? They haven't played three times in a single week since early 2010? That was a mad decision.
James Harrison (Man Utd) : There was no need to play both Ferdinand and Vidic three times this week. We could easily have got past Palace or Leverkusen without them.
Warren Taylor (Man Utd): Vidic looked so suspect. Look how easily he got turned by Negredo for the third goal. They completely switched off. It was as though though had been on the p*** the night before.
Help the aged: Rio Ferdinand (left) and Nemanja Vidic (right) are not as young as they sued to be
Mike Anderson (Man Utd): We have good young defenders like Phil Jones and Jonny Evans who can play centre-half. I can't understand why he hasn't given Zaha a chance at all, either. He has not played a single minute in the Premier League yet. Rotation seems to be the thing Moyes is struggling to get his head around.
Are City nailed-on for the title and are United guaranteed a place in the top 4?
Debbie (Man City): I watched the game with my husband, who's a United fan! He's a red, I'm a blue - it's a mixed marriage! I was celebrating in front of him. City were just so much better than United yesterday, everywhere on the pitch. We will 100% win the league.
Mike Anderson (Man Utd): This year, I would take fourth place and no trophies. As long as we finish in the top four. We have had twenty years on unrivalled success. We don't have the money of City and Chelsea so maybe now, without the best manager of all time, we are competing with Arsenal and Tottenham.
Barney (Editor of Man Utd fanzine Red News, founded in 1987): Moyes will now be well aware of the size of his task this season without the reinforcements he needed. The players now need to respond.
John Kane (Man City): We will win the Premier League. Easily.
Carl (Man City): Having Kompany back is massive for us. He is the best centre-back in the world. He makes our team click. He is a brilliant captain. We will win the league. Definitely.
We want the title back! The result has given Manchester City players and fans optimism about reclaiming the championship
Rick Kay (Man Utd): You have to remember we have had our hardest ever start to the season. Things aren't that bad. We are only three points off City - our main title rivals - and just five off the top. The next five games look hugely winnable.
Jamie Wagman (Man City): After Sunday's showing, I am more confident than ever that we have puts the ghosts of last season behind us. We are a serious force to be reckoned with. United are eighth and every other contenders looks so much stronger than last season. Nothing would make me happier than seeing United slip out of the top four. If ever there was a year, this could be it. A shaky start and a manager that doesn't seem to relish the big games.
Warren Taylor (Man Utd): We'll be lucky to finish in the top four. Liverpool look better this season. Chelsea don't look great at the moment but they have the squad and the manager. Tottenham look good. Arsenal look good. City look good. An average United team ran away with the title last season because everybody else was s**t and we had Robin van Persie. Other than that, we were found out in Europe. We used to be exciting to watch. Now, it's boring and turgid. It's like watching, well, Everton.
The comments below have not been moderated.
Enter I am sad to see the pathetic united fans in the above article.They are forgetting that United had the most difficult start.In our first four or five games we have faced the best premier league teams in form of city ,Chelsea and Liverpool plus we are also playing the champions league and we are going through a transition.The season is just starting.The January transfer window is coming up and the reason United did not sign any player is that now a days clubs are demanding way too much price than the worth of the player.See the transfer activity of Spurs and transfer saga of Bale and United will never pay overprice of the player .This is nothing to do with players don't want to play under Moyes.United does not has a pathetic rich Arab owner they rather invest in their youth and make players who creates history. The summary is this keep calm,have faith Moyes will land a trophy and champions league qualification this year your comment
Don't sell him he's better than nani and young out together and while your at it start playing kagawa
Moyes has only been in control of Utd for 21/2 months but should by now know what the players are capable of. He continues to play Young who so poor that he shouldn't even be playing in the reserves. Valencia has lost pace over the last couple of seasons, Evra is constantly leaving his corner exposed moves forward to attack but just strolls back. Utd have young players in Januzai, Zaha, Keane, Lingard (unfortunately at B'ham), they have Nani who seems reinvigorated and Chicarito who is quick and a good football brain, Kagawa who can create in midfield so why not look at giving these a few games, he has nothing to lose but they can't get any worse than Sunday or can they.
In the main pic there seems more in the united section with sky blue than the red of united.
I am not a fan of David Moyes or Manchester United but I think it is disrespectful to write them off so early. Manchester City have better, more talented players than Man Utd but talent alone does not win titles.....consistency, mental strength and the will to win are just as if not more important. Although it pains me to say it, Man Utd will still be one of the teams fighting for the title towards the end of the season.
"One or two United players will be feeling insecure. Apart from Fellaini, they are all Fergusons players. Now Moyes has to reassure them that he values them" quote Keown. There are a lot of things United players ( with the exception of Rooney ) should be feeling after that performance, insecure, is not one of them. It's time to stop pussy-footing around now. It's time to get really tough, David, make the decisions that need to me made and take no prisoners. Young, in particular. He's had his chance and DM has had his time to evaluate. Conclusion?? HE IS NOT A MUFC PLAYER, the quality is not there, the guile is not there, the passion is not there and the fight is not there. If Mata can be isolated and train with the reserves, so can he. Sell him and take the loss. Evre and Rio are not playing well, DM can't do much about this until he gets Rafael fit, but he was right in his pursuit of Baines.Could it be time to change the Captaincy? Could we go with Rooney? Time to find out
900 million quid and only 2 trophies.............thats appalling hahahaha - Anfieldsqualor , Londonchester, United Kingdom, 24/9/2013 06:34 Waaaaaaahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa ha ha ha ha ha...londonchester that is just classic. Where do they come up with these?
have got to admit united were beaten by a far better side on the day in every department lets face united when playing like this is well bellow par and may not win another trophy this season united have great young talent why not play Hernandez instead of wellbeck and cleverly or Anderson instead of the slow man ferllaini united do not want to carry players in any game and the season has only just begun HOW LONG WILL THE GLAZIERS WAIT before da da da da by by moyes
If everything turns out worse than before, there is always Plan B. Rafael Benitez as interim manager. Best manager at Liverpool, Inter Milan, Chelsea and some says Napoli. Who knows, best manager of Man U just as well.
The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.
grimmlord, Thringen, Germany, 6 hours ago
arsenal are top . so i don't see the point of this debate . ARSENAL AKBAR .