Erik ten Hag confirmed three favourites with Manchester United in-game decisions vs Man City

Wrong personnel for the occassion

Manchester United have needed a defensive midfielder for years. Now they've got one, but he isn't starting matches. There was always going to come a time when Erik ten Hag needed to integrate his £70million summer signing, though they might have missed their perfect opportunity.

Ten Hag stuck with the same side that sparked their rejuvenated run this season, though crucially, the blueprint of that side was laid the night Casemiro was unveiled at a packed Old Trafford before the win over Liverpool.

For matches against lesser sides, they can afford the luxury of playing Bruno Fernandes and Christian Eriksen with just one holding midfielder behind them, but against the very best, they can't.

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It was a harsh lesson learned on the biggest stage of the season so far, but if Ten Hag wants his side to beat City at their own game, then they need their own rock in defensive midfield.

It's a case for Casemiro.

Haaland highlights United's transfer need

For 34 minutes, it looked like United had at least got a grasp of Erling Haaland and managed to minimise his threat. Then he netted twice in three minutes and sent another, unnecessary, reminder of why he is the best striker in world football right now.

Had Raphael Varane not been stood on the sideline waiting to come back on, then he might have been able to help stop the first, though there was nothing he could do about the second, as Haaland latched onto a beautiful ball behind him. He'd go on to set up another and complete his hat-trick before the afternoon was over.

A few sceptics had questioned whether or not the best striker of his generation would function in the best attacking side on the planet. The