Manchester United slumped to a seventh loss in nine games in all competitions on Wednesday night against Manchester City. The Red Devils showed some stern defensive capabilities but wavered in the second half as Manchester City scored twice to win.
Despite Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville claiming Manchester United’s performance was better than in their 4-0 loss to Everton, the Red Devils never really showed up for the fixture at Old Trafford.
Manchester United managed a meagre one shot on target as they fell to defeat. The gulf in class was on display during the 90 minutes with few, if any, players standing out in positive ways.
There were quite a few that stood out in negative ways and the three below are players Manchester United should rid themselves of after the derby loss.
Ashley Young
Manchester United gave 33-year-old Ashley Young a contract extension in February during a run of decent form. Since then, the ageing defender has looked every bit his age.
Young was closed down quickly and easily throughout the 90 minutes against the Cityzens. His outlet passes seemed to never find a red shirt as the ball was recovered by Manchester City and recycled for the attack.
He completed just 73% of his passes during the game. Young did not look like a top-four right-back and the position looks like a hole ahead of next season.
Andreas Periera
Andreas Periera has been given playing time under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer due to Ander Herrera’s recent injury. The Brazilian has had his contract extension triggered by the club as they are afraid to lose a number of players in the offseason on free transfers.
Periera is a perfect example of the club’s poor personnel mismanagement in which players were not sold or re-signed sooner. Now, Manchester United must trigger extensions and offer new deals to ageing players before they leave Old Trafford.
Periera was anonymous during his 72 minutes on the pitch. The midfielder was dispossessed five times during the game while completing just 79% of his passes.
Alexis Sanchez
The derby was just more proof signing Alexis Sanchez was an idiotic move by Ed Woodward. If you didn’t realise Sanchez was on the pitch for the final seven minutes plus stoppage time then you can be forgiven, because he did nothing of note.
Sanchez made one pass and had one total touch during his seven minutes plus stoppage time on the pitch. Let’s say that again, he had one touch!
The arrival of Sanchez and his salary has helped upset Manchester United’s chemistry. Now, the club needs to get rid of the Chilean and use the money he is being paid to rebuild the team.
Unfortunately for Manchester United, who would take Sanchez now?
