"Performance was appalling" - Pundit slams Manchester United performance despite 2-1 win over Manchester City

Manchester United secured a morale-boosting 2-1 win over Manchester City in the derby on Sunday, but not everyone connected to the club was convinced by the win. Former striker-turned-pundit Dwight Yorke was critical of their performance at the Etihad as Ruben Amorim secured a fourth win in charge of the Red Devils.

Portuguese tactician Amorim took over on a permanent basis after Erik ten Hag was fired from his role as manager of Manchester United in November. There was a brief four-match spell for Ruud van Nistelrooy in between both appointments. But even after the managerial change the Red Devils remain in 13th place with nearly half of the season completed.

Amorim's side came from behind to defeat rivals Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium with Amad Diallo dragging his side to victory. Club legend Yorke was unimpressed by the display on Sunday, pointing out that their performance in the game was far from what was required of them. He told Sports Lens that it was a good result, but considering their league position, there is nothing to be happy about.

"Let’s have it right, the City win was one good result. We needed a little pick-me-up, and we got one, but will it provide the ignition to Ruben’s rocket? I don’t think so. The City win brings joy to a few faces on the day and probably for a couple after, but, again, the United performance was appalling until Nunes gave us a route back into the game with the penalty. We’re sitting in thirteenth in the league, there's nothing there to smile about.

He also pointed out that the side seems so far off the pace in terms of the competition. He complained that they lack energy and play one-dimensional football, as well.

"We’re not convincing anyone. In the City game, we didn’t have a shot on target in the first half. If you're a real football guy and you analyse United, you know we are so far off the pace, it's untrue.

"I know that it’s early into Amorim’s tenure, but the early performances have been lacklustre. United are lacking energy when you watch them play. They have no energy, they don't seem to have pace going forward, they play one-dimensional kind of stuff."

Ruben Amorim has won four and lost two of his seven games in charge of Manchester United since his arrival from Sporting CP last month. His side are just six points from fourth-place Nottingham Forest in what is a keenly-contested Premier League season.

Out-of-favour Manchester United forward set to miss Carabao Cup clash

Manchester United star Marcus Rashford has been left out of the squad for their Carabao Cup quarterfinal against Tottenham Hotspur. The English forward is set to miss a second game having also been left out of the squad for the Manchester derby.

Rashford was nowhere to be found as the Red Devils travelling party made its way to London for the cup tie. Alejandro Garnacho, the other player left out of the derby, was with the squad as they made the trip to the capital.

Marcus Rashford was sent home from the training in the session following the win over Manchester City after he came down with sickness. The 27-year-old has revealed in an interview with Henry Winter that he understands that he may have to leave the club soon. The academy graduate could leave Manchester United in the January transfer window as he appears to have lost his place in the squad.