Advertisement
Manchester United manager David Moyes and City boss Manuel Pellegrini on the touchline Martin Rickett/PA Wire/Press Association Images

David Moyes struggles to find reasons for Manchester United's display

‘I never lost like that here with Everton,’ says United manager.

David Moyes admitted Manchester United were second best and that he had let his players know they were not “bang at it” following Sunday’s rout.
United have managed only seven points from their opening five games, their worst start since the 2004-05 campaign when they had six. That season they finished third, 18 points behind Chelsea.
Asked if he had given the players the first “hairdryer” of his tenure, Moyes said: “I don’t know, I think it’s just what I’d have done if I’d – I’ve been here [the Etihad] many times with Everton and don’t think I’ve suffered a defeat like this with Everton in my time. So I just told the players the way I would have told players at any other club if I don’t think they’re doing it. They’re good players, they’re good pros, they know when they’re bang at it and when they’re not.”
Moyes said he expected a reaction immediately afterwards in the changing room, on the training ground and in the next match: Liverpool’s visit to Old Trafford for Wednesday evening’s Capital One Cup tie.
“[I expect it from] all of them and I’ve made them aware of that,” he said. “If ever there was a group of players I’d expect that from it would be a group of Manchester United players. The way they have been brought up, the way they have been bred with the manager previously. They react, that’s what they do, and that’s what we’ll do here. We’ll make sure we react. Every manager has bad results. I’m no different.”
United were 4-0 behind after five minutes of the second half with two goals from Sergio Agüero and strikes by Yaya Touré and Samir Nasri. Wayne Rooney’s late free-kick proved only a consolation.
“I think we were second to things in the first half especially, we seemed to be a yard behind it and we just never really got to the pitch of the game right from the off which was disappointing,” said Moyes. “We had set out to do that. We had a good result in midweek to build on [a 4-2 win over Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League] and come into this game but we never really quite got to grips with it. We certainly didn’t start the game well, Manchester City were the better team, they got control in the early part and we found it difficult to contain them. I thought as the first half edged on we started to get back into the game a little bit more but unfortunately lost the second goal right on half-time. I’m disappointed we didn’t perform because there was no reason.”
Nemanja Vidic described the reverse as “horrible”, admitting United were never in the contest. “From the first minute City tried to be aggressive and had more possession in the first 20 or 30 minutes,” the captain said. “We didn’t really get in the game from the first minute. This is what we have to try to learn from. We can’t look back. It’s horrible to lose the derby. It’s always horrible. It’s worse when you lose in this way, 4-0 down. We were never close to winning the game. That’s disappointing. We have to come back but from tomorrow we start to be positive and move on.”
The forward Robin van Persie had been ruled out with a groin problem, and Moyes indicated the injury was not serious. “I don’t think it’s that bad,” he said. “We felt he was going to make it but he just felt something in his groin. He’d actually done some training in the last couple of days but he just felt it when he made any sharp movements and didn’t want to aggravate it so we took that decision.”
Manuel Pellegrini described his side’s win as a telling psychological blow over the champions. “Winning against Manchester United is always big and the way we did it is important,” he said.
Vincent Kompany, his captain, said City’s motivation was superior. “Maybe the game meant a little bit more to us than for them. We were looking forward to this fixture. We need to win these kind of games. There was no reason why we should fear the opposition.”

This article titled “David Moyes struggles to find reasons for Manchester United’s display” was written by Jamie Jackson at the Etihad, for theguardian.com

© Guardian News & Media Limited 2014

Close
20 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute William Motley
    Favourite William Motley
    Report
    Sep 23rd 2013, 2:56 AM

    Hahagagah

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pablo
    Favourite Pablo
    Report
    Sep 23rd 2013, 9:00 AM

    Liverpool can’t loose on Wednesday night. If they win they win, if they loose ‘that’ competition is a nothing competition anyway. A rumour started by Utd. If its a nothing cup then I’ll expect Moyes to field a reserve team on Wednesday night. Is that going to happen? No, its pathetic really.

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Franco bosley
    Favourite Franco bosley
    Report
    Sep 23rd 2013, 9:31 AM

    Talking Sh*te as usual Pablo !

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pablo
    Favourite Pablo
    Report
    Sep 23rd 2013, 9:40 AM

    That Franco is fact, and I defy any Utd supporter to suggest otherwise.

    8
    See 3 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peter Govan
    Favourite Peter Govan
    Report
    Sep 23rd 2013, 9:47 AM

    Exactly they created the idea that its a nothing cup.

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sportsmadmonkey
    Favourite Sportsmadmonkey
    Report
    Sep 23rd 2013, 3:32 PM

    It is a nothing trophy. The last on the list of preferences for any top flight club. The fact that United need to react after the result yesterday will dictate a strong team, but sure Liverpool will be playing that talented cheating racist sc¥mbag anyway, I’m sure he’d prefer a strong United team as opposed to the reserves.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Graham Kavanagh
    Favourite Graham Kavanagh
    Report
    Sep 23rd 2013, 5:37 PM

    Mad monkey, your jealous of Suarez. United will view this cup as important, like the Charity shield, just like the old days…

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Franco bosley
    Favourite Franco bosley
    Report
    Sep 23rd 2013, 9:49 AM

    Hahahahaha you make me laugh Pablo keep it up ..

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pablo
    Favourite Pablo
    Report
    Sep 23rd 2013, 9:50 AM

    Anything to add Franco other than kak?

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Franco bosley
    Favourite Franco bosley
    Report
    Sep 23rd 2013, 10:57 AM

    Yea …. Don’t give up your day job…. No matter what supporter say here you twist it … But it’s funny , your a great laugh

    5
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pablo
    Favourite Pablo
    Report
    Sep 23rd 2013, 11:12 AM

    Very good Frances, good lad

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Conor Collins
    Favourite Conor Collins
    Report
    Sep 23rd 2013, 12:55 PM

    Man u showed dat dey rely to much on van persie…der squad is poor carrick cleverly young not gud enuf evra rio vidic are past it….itll be along season for dem..

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Null
    Favourite Null
    Report
    Sep 23rd 2013, 2:37 PM

    How hard is it to type “th” instead of a “d”? Seriously.

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sportsmadmonkey
    Favourite Sportsmadmonkey
    Report
    Sep 23rd 2013, 3:37 PM

    Two things;

    Jesus your spelling hurts.

    Passed it? They lost 6-1 to City 2 years ago, were called passed it then and bounced back. The amount of screenshots I’ve taken since yesterday evening is huge! I’m going to make a nice little collage for the end of the season. United may not win the league, but they’ll be the next best at worst.

    3
    See 3 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute See My Vest
    Favourite See My Vest
    Report
    Sep 23rd 2013, 5:19 PM

    So……..many…….mistakes!!!!!

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Conor Collins
    Favourite Conor Collins
    Report
    Sep 23rd 2013, 5:48 PM

    I didnt no it was countdown

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peter Mc
    Favourite Peter Mc
    Report
    Sep 23rd 2013, 6:50 PM

    @sportsmadmonkey, if you’re going to criticise someone’s spelling you should know it’s “past it” not “passed it”

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute William Motley
    Favourite William Motley
    Report
    Sep 23rd 2013, 12:06 PM

    Have to agree.All united fans were calling it a Micky mouse cup when we won it,however when they won it last they didn’t hesitate to celebrate.Morons.

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Patrick
    Favourite Patrick
    Report
    Sep 23rd 2013, 12:17 PM

    I’m a united fan and it is a Micky mouse cup. If its won well and good but it’s the last cup a team in the top flight would dream of winning

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute jimmy murphy
    Favourite jimmy murphy
    Report
    Sep 23rd 2013, 9:28 AM

    Lose

    6
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.