‘No energy’ and ‘predictable’ – Guardiola won’t blame VAR for derby loss

The home fans deservedly won the title of champion over their closest geographical rivals with City’s humiliating 2-0 defeat at Old Trafford as they celebrated Michael Carrick’s perfect start as interim head coach.

However, failing to win the title race leaves them clinging to it until the end, potentially falling nine points behind leaders Arsenal.

Instead of Referee Anthony Taylor’s decision to not dismiss United’s Diogo Dalot in the first half, City boss Pep Guardiola felt a lack of energy contributed to the defeat. This was their sixth game in 17 days.

The Spaniard claimed, “The better team prevailed.” They provided something that we did not have. We frequently discuss our required energy. It has to do with the ball, how you defend yourself in certain situations, duels, and other situations.

” It’s my 27th derby. We were not at the required level today because I frequently visited this place.

“We try. Although we discuss that, we only recently had that energy in Newcastle. Even at Sunderland, we did excellent in many areas, but not today.

Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu helped United score twice in the second half, as well as having three goals for offside, hitting the woodwork twice, and forcing visiting goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to make numerous save saves.

When full-back Dalot caught Jeremy Doku with his studs and gave him a knee-high challenge, the hosts could have been reduced to 10 men within the opening 10 minutes.

The video assistant referee (VAR) supported the decision, and the referee Anthony Taylor issued a yellow card.

The Premier League match center explained the decision by saying that Dalot’s yellow card for a reckless challenge was confirmed by VAR after the contact was deemed to be glancing rather than using excessive force.

Guardiola once said, “It’s a red card, but it’s bad as a manager to look at that as the justification for [losing] the game.”

“We played with the energy that we did, but we were nowhere near that,” I believe, despite 85 minutes. We won’t grow up and advance, but I could say that and blame [the decision].

It occurred, and it didn’t come as a surprise. When I first arrived here, it had already happened. We must examine ourselves, to be honest. We will have trouble in the future if the players offer justifications.

“Manchester United was better, and we have to accept it,” says the team, “and today the analysis is simple.”

Former Premier League player Darren Cann claimed he felt Dalot was “very fortunate to escape a red card.”

“Dalot is very fortunate not to receive a red card,” he said, “but with the benefit of replays, I do believe he is very fortunate.” “It’s a hard one to see live on the pitch from the referee’s angle,” he continued.

I’m certain that the referee would have received a red card had he been invited to the screen.

Alan Shearer, an ex-England striker, claimed to BBC Sport that “VAR got that terribly wrong.” That was a clear red card to me.

Don’t worry about whether or not the contact was “glancing.” Although it might have been difficult for him to see it, I can understand why the referee didn’t give it, because the VAR has two experts watching, it should have been a simple decision to issue a red card.

City are close to completing Marc Guehi’s £20 million acquisition of Crystal Palace, but their demanding schedule is now starting to catch up with their front players.

Erling Haaland hasn’t scored from open play in his last seven games and has only scored once in the penalty spot since December 20.

On Saturday, the Norwegian managed just 14 touches of the ball and failed to score.

Rayan Cherki, who scored late on in the week’s game at Newcastle, was unable to play any part in the game, while Phil Foden has gone eight straight games without scoring.

In Guardiola’s 364 games in charge of the Premier League, City’s expected goal (xG) rate of 0.45 was the second-lowest ever.

The 54-year-old told BBC Match of the Day, “We were not good enough up front,” according to the 54-year-old. We were unable to complete it. We didn’t have it, but they did, and they deserved it, I thought.

“We typically have a rhythm when they first arrive at Etihad Stadium,” says one fan, “and it’s normal to do that.”

Offensively, we didn’t intend to move, cross, or score a goal in the final third. We had a better sense of what to expect.

City were only allowed one shot on target, which was Guardiola’s second-lowest xG in his Premier League career, despite having 68% of the possession.

Before launching a fierce defensive unit with four players, United looked to funnel City into wide areas. For instance, Bruno Fernandes, Patrick Dorgu, Kobbie Mainoo, and Luke Shaw converged on the left to lessen the amount of time and space City had.

The space was on the far side because of the number of players who had been committed to the side the ball was on, but City’s struggled to change the attack’s starting position, which Antoine Semenyo, Jeremy Doku, and Rico Lewis did less of than some of their team-mates did.

Both Matheus Nunes and Phil Foden on the right have historically shown this ability, and the latter was particularly lacking.

By monitoring the runs of Patrick Dorgu and assisting Rodri, who occasionally had to deal with both Mbeumo and Bruno, City lacked Nunes’ physical profile to help with United’s threat in the transition.

When defended back, United more than any other defense gave the City centre backs more time and space.

However, Abdukodir Khusanov struggled to take advantage of the spaces United left, as did Nathan Ake and Max Alleyne, despite stopping numerous counterattacks.