Manchester City are unstoppable in the Premier League now and were not even at their best in thrashing Man United
SunSport columnist Danny Higginbotham analyses the fallout as Jose Mourinho's team were easily beaten at the Etihad
TEAMS try to pose Manchester City questions but Pep Guardiola’s men always have answers within the first ten minutes.
Manchester United went to the Etihad to sit deep, stay compact and go long through the size of Marouane Fellaini with the runners of Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard around him.
But City are such a quality side that Jose Mourinho’s men could not get out of their own half.
Pep’s people controlled and dominated possession so much that United’s 4-3-3 quickly became a 4-5-1.
City isolate the opposition front-man extremely well — and it’s so difficult to survive against them.
Guardiola’s men were not even at their best but they are just pure quality. You have to admire them, whoever you support.
They didn’t miss Kevin de Bruyne at all — and that’s unbelievable.
But it’s how they play most weeks, the fluidity, where every player knows what to do. And it does not matter whether it’s home or away.
Guardiola’s champions are pleasing on the eye and, although we saw only flashes at the Etihad, the third goal, with an incredible 44-pass move, summed them up.
I can’t see anyone stopping them in the Premier League.
But what impressed me most was their work-rate and phenomenal movement off the ball.
Raheem Sterling sets the tone with his hard work and he is the best performing English player at the moment.
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He gets a lot of unfair criticism which is undeserved but he has learnt a lot under Guardiola.
Previously, his first touch would stop the ball and slow the attack but now he creates space for himself or team-mates.
He has improved his game intelligence — and that comes from the help of his boss.
Guardiola aided the career of the likes of German Philipp Lahm who adapted his game in different positions. Sterling is doing the same.
He has played left-wing, right-wing, centre-forward false nine. It is great credit to the player.
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