Jump directly to the content
in the red

Manchester derby: Three players who could face the chop by Jose Mourinho for Manchester United’s next match after poor displays

MANCHESTER UNITED lost out to city rivals Manchester City in a hotly contested derby earlier today, in a match where most of United's stars were not at the races.

Jose Mourinho's side were unbeaten until today but were outclassed by Pep Guardiola's men who scored through Kevin de Bruyne and Kelechi Iheanacho - despite Zlatan Ibrahimovic's goal from a Claudio Bravo error.

 Man City beat Man United in their own back yard which will leave Mourinho furious
5
Man City beat Man United in their own back yard which will leave Mourinho furiousCredit: Getty Images

Mourinho blamed two poor refereeing decisions from whistle-blower Mark Clattenburg, but also conceded his side were poor particularly in the first half.

He said after the match: "The two halves were completely different. In the first half we were below the level to play this match.

"You have to be completely ready in terms of the speed of your thinking and decision-making."

But ahead of United's next match in the Europa League away to Dutch side Feyenoord, the Special One will want to make changes - and SunSport looks at three men in particular who will be wary of their place.

 

 Daley Blind had a shocker of a match today being caught out for both City goals
5
Daley Blind had a shocker of a match today being caught out for both City goalsCredit: Getty Images

Daley Blind

Dutchman Blind had a shocking derby performance with his two blunders seeing City race into a two-goal lead.

Blind failed to react when de Bruyne danced through for the opener, before his daydreaming played Iheanacho onside for the teenager to tap home.

Blind has been playing first choice centre half this season, but is traditionally a left-back, and his deficiencies were highlighted today - and Mourinho could be tempted to bring Chris Smalling back into the side.

 Mkhitaryan was injured on international duty in midweek and the game totally passed him by today
5
Mkhitaryan was injured on international duty in midweek and the game totally passed him by todayCredit: Getty Images

Henrikh Mkhitaryan

The Armenian midfielder who, was signed for £30million from Borussia Dortmund, limped off injured during the international break this week.

It was a surprise he was playing and he must not have been fully fit as the game totally passed him by, barely getting involved in any attacking play before being hauled off at half time for Ander Herrera.

And Herrera's strong performance in the second half could see the Spaniard recalled.

 Lingard was totally anonymous today and did not contribute anything of note
5
Lingard was totally anonymous today and did not contribute anything of noteCredit: PA:Press Association

Jesse Lingard

Another who was injured and there were still doubts about his match fitness, but he loves a big game so was picked.

But he was next to anonymous in the first half and even gave possession away to City on a couple of occasions.

He made way at half time for Marcus Rashford, and the England teen's typically energetic performance from the bench could see the boy wonder start for the next game. Maybe today was too soon for Lingard.

 

One player who will almost certainly not be dropped - because he is the world's most expensive footballer - is midfielder Paul Pogba.

But the Frenchman was very poor today and his performance has drawn criticism, in particular from former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher.

 The world's most expensive player Paul Pogba was largely anonymous today
5
The world's most expensive player Paul Pogba was largely anonymous todayCredit: Getty Images

He said after the game of Pogba: "The position of Paul Pogba in the first half is so undisciplined. He’s anywhere but centre midfield.

"He shows a lack of discipline or a lack of understanding. United were always threatening in the first half because no-one quite knew who was supposed to be picking up De Bruyne."

Mourinho can't drop the £89m man yet - or can he?

Topics