Pep Guardiola concedes Manchester United were the better team after a 2-0 defeat at Old Trafford, denting City’s Premier League title hopes
PEP Guardiola conceded his Manchester City side were outplayed by a superior Manchester United in a damaging 2-0 Premier League defeat at Old Trafford.
The loss leaves City winless in four league games this year and six points adrift of leaders Arsenal.
United delivered arguably their best performance of the season under new manager Michael Carrick, with goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu securing victory.
The hosts also had three goals disallowed for marginal offside decisions in a dominant display.
“The better team won,” said Guardiola. “We weren’t at the level required to win this game.”
He added that his team lacked the necessary energy and were second best in many departments.
The game’s momentum might have shifted had United’s Diogo Dalot been sent off early for a studs-up challenge on Jeremy Doku.
Dalot received only a yellow card, but Guardiola refused to blame the officials for the result.
“Was it a red card? Yes. But it would be poor for me as a manager to blame the red card,” he stated.
Guardiola questioned whether a dismissal would have changed the outcome and warned against his players using it as an excuse.