How many times have we reported on Manchester United players switching off and failing to fulfil basic defensive duties?
It took 18 minutes for Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City side to find the opener at the Etihad, with Phil Foden heading in from close range.
We can debate about how good a goalkeeper Altay Bayindir is and whether his positioning was correct. Regardless, the fact of the matter is that the goal could have been quite easily prevented.
One man who has to take at least some responsibility here is, sadly, skipper Bruno Fernandes.
Bruno Fernandes at fault for Man City goal
It feels painful to highlight the Portuguese international’s shortcomings when he continues to be the most integral player on the pitch for United.
However, Henry Winter spotted the playmaker (on X) failing to mark Foden ahead of the host’s first-half goal.
A quick look back at the footage for the City star’s opener confirms this, with the midfielder failing to glance even once over his left shoulder to keep track of the Englishman’s movement.
Ever a thorn for the Red Devils in the Manchester derby, the 25-year-old took advantage of Fernandes’ daydreaming to march unmarked toward the penalty spot and power a header home.
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