Heading into this weekend’s Manchester derby, it was difficult to assess how the game would play out. Both Manchester City and Manchester United had struggled this season, meaning neither side entered the fixture on the back of a strong run of form.

Once the match kicked off at The Etihad, it quickly became apparent that the home side were the better team. Manchester City would dominate proceedings, with Phil Foden putting them in front after just 18 minutes.

The second half was even more dominant from City, with Erling Haaland netting a brace to wrap up the three points. The second of those goals was helped by some fairly farcical Manchester United defending.

This result means that Manchester United have taken just four points from their first four Premier League fixtures this season.

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Roy Keane Cannot Understand Why One Manchester United Star Is Not Criticised More

While Manchester United have played two of last season’s top three so far this season, there have been few indications that the team is vastly improved from the one that finished 15th in the Premier League in the most recent campaign.

A number of players are performing incredibly poorly, with Luke Shaw singled out for quite a bit of criticism. The Englishman played a big role in two of the Manchester City goals, being beaten too easily at the edge of the for the first before allowing Erling Haaland in to score the second goal of the game.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Roy Keane gave a fairly grim indication of how the team looks almost 11 months into Ruben Amorim’s tenure, before singling out Shaw for his lack of impact at Manchester United in recent seasons.

It’s far too easy. United just look like an average team, a really average team.

Take nothing away from City today, but I bet they couldn’t believe sometimes how easy it was…

If you reflect on United’s start to the season so far, it’s four games, four points, four goals scored. They got beaten by Grimsby as well.

For all the money they’ve spent, and obviously a new manager came, needs time to settle in, needs a pre-season, needs his own players.

They’re a very average team in this Premier League. There’s no signs things are getting better for this United team…

[Luke] Shaw is an international footballer, for him to get caught out like that.

I think Shaw has been getting away with murder for years at United. He’s always injured, never quite fit, making excuses. Then he gets a few games and he’s making decisions like he doesn’t even want to tackle people.

Despite being a largely underwhelming signing, Luke Shaw has now been at Old Trafford for over 11 years. That is perhaps a good indication of the poor recruitment policy at the club over the last decade.

While Manchester United do not have European commitments this season, their fixture list over the coming weeks is looking increasingly tricky. They will host Chelsea next week, followed by a trip to Brentford. Amorim’s side will also have a trip to Anfield to contend with after the October international break.

If continue along the current trajectory, the Portuguese manager will certainly be feeling the heat as we enter the winter.

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