Big debate: Where did it go wrong for Jose Mourinho and Manchester United in derby defeat by bitter rivals City?
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The Manchester derby came and went this weekend, with no shortage of drama.
The blue half of the city were left celebrating when Pep Guardiola's side secured a 2-1 win over their bitter rivals to establish an 11-point lead at the top of the Premier League table.
Jose Mourinho was criticised in some quarters for his negative approach to the game and complained afterwards that his side should have been awarded a penalty when Ander Herrera went down in the box, only for the Spaniard to be booked for diving.
Mourinho's bad day wasn't over there, as reports emerged of a mass brawl in the dressing room area which saw milk thrown over him when he demanded the City players toned down their celebrations.
But where did it all go wrong for the Portuguese and the Red Devils on Sunday? MirrorFootball's writers have their say...
Andy Dunn
(Image: AFP)
The manager. Simple as that. The blame begins and ends with Jose Mourinho. It should not have been a surprise but I was still slightly aghast at such a negative, unambitious gameplan.
Quite frankly, the first half performance - even though they went into the break on level terms - was an insult to the traditions and values of Manchester United.
This was Old Trafford, this was United, this was against your city rivals.
To merely defend deep and then rely on a quick punt upfield was basic in the extreme.
Pep Guardiola’s team is good but why can’t the likes of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard go toe-to-toe with them in a footballing sense?
Mourinho has excellent footballers at his disposal and they have played some thrilling stuff this season.
So why not try and fight flair with flair, especially in your own lair?
Better to go down with a swagger rather than 35 percent of possession.
If Mourinho continues to play this way in certain games - think Liverpool away - the patience of supporters will snap, no matter what he wins.
Simon Mullock
(Image: Getty Images Europe)
Jose Mourinho chose four Rolls Royce forwards and then asked them to play like double decker buses.
United had the pace and power to get at a City defence that always plays with a high line.
But there was absolutely nothing subtle about the way they then hoofed the ball forward in hope rather than expectation.
In the end, United looked like a non-league team trying to get lucky against top-flight opposition in an FA Cup tie. The gulf was embarrassing - and that was down to Mourinho not putting any trust in his players.
James Nursey
(Image: Michael Regan)
In defence. For a boss like Jose Mourinho, who prides himself on defensive organisation, it really must have hurt that both goals were conceded from set-pieces.
Against City you expect them to dominate possession anywhere these days and cannot do much about a moment of pure brilliance.
Yet it was poor marking at a first half corner which allowed Silva to put the hosts ahead, then Romelu Lukaku's mis-hit clearance at a free-kick enabled Otamendi to restore the visitors lead after Marcus Rashford's equaliser.
Darren Lewis
(Image: Tom Purslow)
The trouble with Mourinho is that with the players at his disposal he should not have reverted to his natural instinct against more free-flowing teams. To try and smother the life out of them.
Why would you spend all that money to roll with the big boys again, yet park the bus? United have a tradition over the years of going out to fight, even if they die with their boots on. The chants of “Attack, attack, attack” from the home fans told their own story.
Don’t get me wrong, Mourinho has always been a pragmatist and, in the past, that approach has served him well. But he has spent a fortune on this United team. It was remarkable seeing them worrying about what City were going to do rather than giving City something to think about. It was remarkable to see United dominated so emphatically in their own house. Mourinho needs a rethink. United can’t just be flat-track bullies. With the players he has he needs to do more against the bigger teams.
Mike Walters
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Who dares wins, Jose.
On paper, the Manchester United manager picked an attacking team for the derby - but football is played on grass, not paper, and the reality was different.
United were less adventurous than hermits. In too many big games, Mourinho is frightened to open his front door to take the milk off the step.
Marcus Rashford's equaliser in first-half stoppage-time was United's first meaningful threat, and by then City were dictating the tempo and dictating terms.
Yes, Ederson's fabulous double save from Romelu Lukaku and Juan Mata at the death denied Mourinho a second equaliser, but it was a fair result. Enterprise won the day - which is how it should be.