Manchester United problem positions were at heart of Man City hammering

When Pep Guardiola came to English football, he recognised the importance of full-backs in the modern game. Erik ten Hag won't need any reminding about how important they were at the weekend.

Few supporters would have recognised the need for a new left-back in the past summer window, but the new United manager did. He had monitored Tyrell Malacia's progress first-hand during his time at Feyenoord, and when Lyon signalled their interest in a deal, he instructed his club to intervene.

The first few weeks were promising. United tore up the team sheet after their disastrous double defeat to start the season, with Malacia one of those who came in and shone with a win over weakened Liverpool.

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The 23-year-old impressed in the weeks that followed, but he, like United, was on the end of a harsh reality check at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

United's tone was set when fellow full-back Diogo Dalot was booked after only two minutes of the game. Michael Oliver wasted no time in going to his pocket and cautioning the Portuguese for a swipe at the lively Jack Grealish. Malacia would join him in the book twenty minutes later before being hooked at half-time, having been run ragged by Phil Foden, who pounced on the space he was allowed.

United's pre-match optimism had been buoyed by the news of Ruben Dias starting on the bench, but although City were fielding back-up centre-backs in the form of Nathan Ake and the inspired Manuel Akanji, they crucially had their first-choice full-backs to call upon.

Kyle Walker and Joao Cancelo will feature low down on the list of standout City performers, but their excellence came in their large anonymity on the day, as they quietly went about their