David de Gea was certain that Marcus Rashford would score his missed last-gasp chance against Newcastle United.
28.09.2022 - 13:25 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
One of the few guarantees of Sunday's derby is Manchester United will not revert to a back three. Four times Ole Gunnar Solskjaer selected an extra centre-back against City; United won twice and lost twice.
The latter defeat was one of the most supine surrenders by United in living memory. The scoreline only ended 2-0 but United had more attempts on target at their own goal than City's.
That was Solskjaer's penultimate match as United manager and Pep Guardiola was asked if he was disappointed City did not win by a greater margin. "No, it's okay." Translation: Ole in. City fans chanted "Five more years".
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Solskjaer had entered the endgame by then and the United suits were waiting for a(nother) suitably humiliating result to summon him to the guillotine. United 0-2 City didn't cut it. Watford 4-1 United two weeks later did, a day away-dayers booed the scorer of the club's most famous goal.
Some United sources said in the wake of Solskjaer's dismissal they found the City result more galling than the 5-0 annihilation by Liverpool. As tactically amateurish as United were that day, they played on the front foot and Bruno Fernandes blazed over with the goal gaping and the game goalless.
Solskjaer opted for a defensive trident 18 times with a record of eight wins, three draws and seven defeats. It was used in 10 fixtures against Premier League top six teams and also reserved for Champions League ties with Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.
Erik ten Hag's United are still transitioning to a proactive style. Points on the board took precedence after Brentford and they have had a maximum return largely through counter-attacking goals Solskjaer
David de Gea was certain that Marcus Rashford would score his missed last-gasp chance against Newcastle United.
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has hailed Manchester United as having “outstanding players” and praised three midfielders ahead of their visit to Old Trafford on Sunday.
Manchester United used stoppage time to rescue themselves from an embarrassing draw with Europa League minnows Omonia on Thursday.
Owen Hargreaves says four players currently have their positions nailed down in the Manchester United team.
Manchester United could shuffle their pack for Thursday's Europa League clash with Omonia Nicosia.
Rio Ferdinand has doubled down on his glowing assessment of Casemiro while highlighting the unique qualities he will continue to bring to the Manchester United team. Casemiro, 30, was signed from Real Madrid this summer and was finally handed his first Premier League start on Sunday night.
Manchester United made history against Omonia Nicosia in the Europa League on Thursday night.
Bruno Fernandes insists Manchester United's confidence levels remain high despite the 6-3 defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad on Sunday.
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville has dismissed suggestions that Brazilian midfielder Casemiro should have started for Erik ten Hag's side against Manchester City on Sunday.
Christian Eriksen has responded to Bruno Fernandes' comments on their Manchester United partnership after the initial doubts about whether they could play alongside each other.
Cristiano Ronaldo's sister has slammed the critics of her brother after he was targeted following the Nations League defeat to Spain on Tuesday.
Here are your Manchester United morning headlines on Thursday, September 29:
Bruno Fernandes has backed his Manchester United and Portugal teammate Cristiano Ronaldo to rediscover his goalscoring form after a disappointing start to the season.
Manchester United were expected to challenge for the Premier League title last season but, by the end of the season, were reduced to fighting for Europa League qualification. The Reds grossly underperformed and subsequently equalled their worst trophy drought for 40 years.
Bruno Fernandes has been harshly criticised by a former Manchester United defender following his comments last month about Matheus Nunes.
Manchester United summer signing Christian Eriksen has opened up on the start of the season under Erik ten Hag, admitting that the team were 'searching' for a period of time.
Manchester United ace Bruno Fernandes has played down suggestions that his drop off in form last season was caused by playing alongside Cristiano Ronaldo.
Manchester City centre-back Ruben Dias has admitted it is important to switch the 'club chip' off when players meet up for international duty.