3 Reasons Why Manchester United lost to Manchester City

#2 Picking Ander Herrera was a bad decision

Ander Herrera

Ander Herrera has his moments of absolute brilliance but he also has the moments that have fans and even Mourinho himself irritated with the Spaniard. His man-marking of Eden Hazard last season will have fans lovingly remember him even after his Red Devil career is over and given the way he played today, it’s certainly arriving very soon.

With no Paul Pogba and Marouane Fellaini in alongside Nemanja Matic and Herrera, many expected the box-to-box midfielder to help make up for the lack of creativity going forward. Not only that, Herrera’s defensive acumen was something that would definitely help against the likes of David Silva, Bernardo Silva, Raheem Sterling and the other creative men in blue. But while on paper it was a sensible move, on the field it looked like a horror show.

The 29-year-old really struggled and was constantly misplacing passes or getting caught out in position, having to be bailed out by the back four or his midfield partners multiple times. What made things worse for United, was the fact that Herrera simply made things worse and offered next to nothing in easily one of the toughest games the Red Devils may play this season.

Things could have been much worse for both the midfielder and Manchester United, but Jose Mourinho opted to put him out of his misery in the 72nd minute. Herrera is running down his contract and has a little over seven months left on his current deal with no extension in the foreseeable future being offered by the club. However, with Mourinho fighting to keep him, a performance like this does nobody any good.