Pep admits City ‘not at required level’ as derby loss dents title hopes

Pep Guardiola admitted Manchester City were “predictable” and lacking in energy after a 2-0 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford dealt a potentially decisive blow to their Premier League title defence.

The loss, which marked a perfect start for Michael Carrick in his second stint as United’s interim head coach, leaves the champions in a precarious position. City could end the weekend nine points adrift of league leaders Arsenal, having now gone four league games without a victory.

Second-half goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu secured the three points for United, who were superior in every department. While City pointed to a controversial decision to allow United defender Diogo Dalot to remain on the pitch, Guardiola refused to use the incident as a smokescreen for his side’s lethargic performance

The match’s flashpoint occurred inside the first 10 minutes when Dalot caught City winger Jeremy Doku with a knee-high, studs-up challenge. Referee Anthony Taylor issued a yellow card, a decision upheld by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).

The Premier League match centre later clarified that the contact was deemed “glancing” and not committed with “excessive force.” However, replays suggested Dalot was fortunate, with former Premier League official Darren Cann and ex-England striker Alan Shearer both stating it should have been a red card.

Guardiola acknowledged the severity of the tackle but insisted his team’s shortcomings were the primary cause of defeat.

“It’s a red card, but it would be poor as a manager to analyse that as the reason for losing the game,” Guardiola said. “We were not at the required level to win this type of game… If the players have excuses, we will be in trouble in the future.”

Carrick, conversely, defended his player. “I thought at the time Diogo got the ball and kicked it out,” the United boss said. “I did not think for one second it was a bad challenge.”

Beyond the officiating, the statistics painted a grim picture for the visitors. City recorded an expected goals (xG) figure of just 0.45—the second-lowest in Guardiola’s 364 Premier League matches in charge. They managed only a single shot on target, a rarity for a side renowned for its offensive potency.

Erling Haaland’s struggles continued; the Norwegian striker was marshalled expertly by Lisandro Martinez, managing just 14 touches. Haaland has now scored just once in his last seven games and has not netted from open play since December 20. Similarly, Phil Foden has now gone eight games without a goal.

“We were not good enough up front,” Guardiola told BBC Match of the Day. “Offensively we did not have the intention in the final third to score a goal, to make a cross, to make a movement. We were more predictable.”

Guardiola suggested that fatigue from a gruelling schedule—this was City’s sixth game in 17 days—contributed to the lack of intensity.

The club is moving to address defensive issues, with a £20 million deal for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi reportedly close to completion. However, the immediate concern remains the lack of spark in attack as they prepare for a Champions League trip to Bodo/Glimt on Tuesday.

“We have to look at ourselves,” Guardiola concluded. “Manchester United were better and we have to accept it.”