MANCHESTER, England — Manchester City reinforced their dominance with a convincing 3-1 win over rivals Manchester United in the Premier League, casting doubt on Jim Ratcliffe’s ambitions for the Red Devils. Despite Marcus Rashford’s stunning goal giving United an early lead, City rallied in the second half with goals from Phil Foden and Erling Haaland.
City manager Pep Guardiola hailed his team as “legendary,” highlighting their superiority over United, who suffered their 16th defeat of the season, further denting their Champions League qualification hopes under manager Erik ten Hag.
The defeat underscored the vast disparity between the two Manchester clubs. It served as a reality check for Ratcliffe, who recently acquired a significant stake in United and aimed to challenge City’s domestic dominance. Ratcliffe’s aspirations to emulate Alex Ferguson’s successful era have faltered, with United languishing far behind City and Liverpool since Ferguson’s retirement in 2013.
City’s consistent success, backed by Abu Dhabi’s ruling family and guided by Guardiola, contrasts starkly with United’s struggles. The defeat to City emphasized the magnitude of the task facing Ratcliffe and the club’s new leadership in closing the gap.
Guardiola’s side continues to assert dominance across competitions, with an unbeaten run of 19 games bolstering their quest for a historic quadruple. Meanwhile, United faces an uphill battle to salvage their season, with the FA Cup representing their best chance of silverware and Champions League qualification appearing increasingly unlikely.
Despite the challenging circumstances, ten Hag remains optimistic, pointing to signs of progress and urging his team to rally. However, Ratcliffe’s ambitious plans for United may prompt significant changes, with potential key personnel appointments and a clear mandate for success.
As United captain Bruno Fernandes acknowledged, every setback is costly for a club of United’s stature. With a long road ahead, United must regroup and refocus to meet the demanding standards expected at Old Trafford.
In other Premier League action, Bournemouth secured a crucial 2-0 victory over Burnley, lifting them clear of relegation worries while compounding Burnley’s struggles under manager Vincent Kompany.