It came from that red card. In the first half, we were bossing possession and I would've expected us to score at least one goal in the second half. It can't all be laid at Evans' feet - the defending that allowed Balotelli to get one on one with him was awful - but pulling his arm was the worst possible choice he could've made. Sometimes it's harder to play against ten men, but sometimes the walls fall in, as happened to us. I am 100% sure that had we stayed at full strength, the result wouldn't have been so bad and we might have even sneaked a draw. That start to the second half just screwed everything up from the off and knocked the wind right out of our sails.
I'm not too worried. Sure, it's massively annoying to be beaten by
them like that and in our own backyard too, but we've taken thrashings before and still came out on top. Man Utd 0-4 Liverpool a few years back, anyone? Or Newcastle 5-0 Man Utd? Of course the bookies are going to install City as favourites for the league after that, but it's way too early to write us off - do so at your peril.
Perhaps this is the wakeup call we needed - as others have said, even in the 8-2 vs Arsenal, our defensive frailties were there for all to see. But I don't understand why we didn't play Vidic and Ferdinand - unless Vidic was injured. We always look more solid with those two. As for Evans, I've thought this a long time about him, but he's not Utd quality.
Still, City were class and have been for many games now. They'll have their blip though.
I'd be a bit worried if I was Aldershot tomorrow - this is going to massively piss Utd off and a pissed off Man Utd vs a League Two side could result in quite a backlash.
As I said before, the team has had an almighty kick up the arse now, that was maybe needed.
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Yep, Evans isn't a Utd player - we should've kept Brown or O'Shea and given
him to Sunderland! Can't really blame De Gea for the goals - the commentators would've been all over him if he was at fault and they weren't - and De Gea definitely earned us a point at Anfield last week, which could yet be vital. Welbeck is a good young player, but he's not quite ready to be in the first team as much as he's being recently, especially not in games like this, but having said that, Hernandes always seems to play better as a sub, like Ole. Without Vidic/Ferdinand, the defence doesn't look good, but Jones and Smalling are coming on well. Which is more than can be said for Evans.
Still, apart from City going five points clear, minimal damage - Chelski lost as well!
That wasn't the case in the first half, but the red card right at the start of the second half just set it all up for an awful day for Utd. But we'll bounce back - we always do.
