'Closer to ending in failure' - national media's brutal Manchester United verdict amid Man City loss

Manchester United's miserable record against Manchester City continued on Sunday as they fell to a 3-1 defeat at the Etihad Stadium.

Marcus Rashford's sensational strike put the Reds ahead in the first-half. Erik ten Hag's men managed to keep City out for an hour until Phil Foden equalised. The England international then put the hosts ahead before Erling Haaland added a third.

Wins for Aston Villa, Tottenham, West Ham and Newcastle mean it was a weekend to forget for United. They are now nine points behind Aston Villa in fourth and six behind Tottenham.

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Here, wehave rounded-up how the national media and Manchester Evening News reported on the Manchester derby defeat.

'Defeat most anticipated'

Writing in The Independent, Richard Jolly said: "For United, a day that began well and contained the essence of an excellent display, nevertheless ended with the defeat most anticipated.

"The academy products traded wonderful goals, as Marcus Rashford and Foden rivalled each other with spectacular strikes. But Foden’s subsequent second moved City a step closer to a fourth successive title, something even Sir Alex Ferguson never accomplished, and rendered it likelier that United will not join their neighbours in the Champions League next season.

"Eleven points off fourth, they can rue other games more than this but their season is closer to ending in failure."

'City's superiority was demonstrated starkly'

Writing in The Telegraph, James Ducker said: "Erik ten Hag spoke before Sunday’s derby about his set-up causing “confusion” for