At the Etihad Stadium, Paul Pogba was commanding the midfield, but Ralf Rangnick ordered him off the field early.
(Photo courtesy of AMA/Getty Images/Matthew Ashton)
Manchester United looked good early on against Manchester City, but they faded badly later in the game and were soundly defeated 4-1.
Ralf Rangnick's game plan appeared to be to soak up pressure before using the creative abilities of both Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba to slice through City's midfield and set up efficient counterattacks.
When Fernandes' quick passing was crucial to these moves, he appeared to be an orchestral instrument while Pogba was in charge. The French midfielder was outstanding and was at the heart of every excellent United move.
In order for Jadon Sancho to achieve his aim, he needed his help. Pogba's first connection with Anthony Elanga proved important in allowing United to burst through City's push. His ball to England's young winger was perfectly weighted.
Sancho was able to cut it inside and curl it into the far corner with ease. United made a few additional transfers that appeared promising at the time, but they fizzled out before City's quality was revealed.
Pogba was clearly United's greatest player, so Rangnick's decision to take him off in the second half was puzzling. United had struggled to get back into the game after the break. City had closed down a number of passing angles and exploited openings that the Reds had taken advantage of.
However, by taking Pogba out of the game, United lost a clear path to getting the ball up the field, putting a lot of creative pressure on Fernandes.
City took advantage of this and closed down Fernandes as quickly as possible, forcing the Portugal midfielder to either give up possession with a terrible ball or lose it and face opposition pressure in his own half.
But, beyond the summer, this is United's future. Pogba appears to be ready to depart at the moment, and if United do not earn Champions League football, that decision may be confirmed.
If United are to compete with the best, they need quality in the middle, and Pogba is perhaps the finest they have.
When he leaves, the club must take steps to find a suitable replacement, or else it will fall farther behind the rest of the Premier League's best clubs.
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