Gary Neville has said it was 'obvious' that Manchester United's game-plan 'wasn't quite working' against ten-man Manchester City and that Michael Carrick should have sent Benjamin Sesko on at half-time. Erling Haaland scored a controversial goal in the 60th minute to give City a 1-0 win at Old Trafford, maintaining their 100 per cent start in the Premier League.
City had earlier been reduced to ten men after Phil Foden was sent off for a petulant kick on Bruno Fernandes, which will see the midfielder suspended for three matches. Despite the setback, the visitors secured what is described as their most satisfying win since Enzo Maresca took over from Pep Guardiola, moving level on points with champions Arsenal at the top of the table.
Neville's Analysis of Carrick's Tactics
'I'd like to think that they're not concentrating and focussing on the refereeing decisions and they're focussing on the work they need to do on improving their performance,' Neville said on Sky Sports. 'What you don't want to do is give football players or anybody excuses. That's it.
'So they've got to go out there tomorrow, or whenever it is that they start training again, and begin to think about what happens when they go down to ten men again.'
Sesko's Late Introduction
For a fourth league game in a row, Matheus Cunha started up front for United, with Sesko left on the bench despite having scored in the 2-2 draw with Everton previously. The Slovenia striker was brought on in place of Youri Tielemans in the 67th minute but could not replicate that impact.
'I think Michael Carrick maybe will reflect upon the fact that he could have made changes earlier,' Neville added. 'When you know for 20 minutes before half-time that it's not going your way with 11 men, I think then Sesko should have come on straightaway to be a bit more of a battering ram up top.
'It was obvious it wasn't quite working. He made the substitution eventually after 67 minutes which only left Sesko with 25 minutes so things like that will be reflected on and analysed I'm sure. That's what they've got to concentrate on.'
Keane's Call for Calm
In his post-match analysis, Roy Keane urged Carrick and his squad not to 'panic' despite their shaky start to the campaign. 'It's been a poor start, no doubt about it. Today was a setback but I still think the players will react,' the former United captain said.
'They've got a cup game during the week then they've got Fulham and those games are winnable on paper. No, there's certainly no need to panic but obviously the real challenge for Carrick and his staff, when he got the job permanently, people wanted a good start and he's not had that. No doubt there will be pressure after today's game but I would say just keep your heads.'
United have received an official apology from Pro Ref for Haaland's goal. They face Brighton in the cup before travelling to Fulham next weekend, while City host Norwich in the Carabao Cup and then Sunderland in the league.
