Ralf Rangnick contradicted himself with Manchester United tweak amid latest defensive failure

Here we are again, picking through the bones of the latest Manchester United disappointment following their 4-1 defeat at Manchester City. A promising first half from Ralf Rangnick's men was marred by avoidable individual errors before the team's initial good work fell away in the second half amid wave after wave of City attacks.

The old adage 'a game of two halves' couldn't be more appropriate in this situation and there was evidence of places where United have come far but also a number of moments where it hammered home just how much work they still need to do to close the gap to their rivals.

There were some positives to take away amid only a second league defeat under Rangnick but the majority of focus in the wake of the game was on the areas in need of improvement so let's look at the good, the bad and the ugly of United's derby-day defeat:

The Good: Sancho's 'Homecoming' goal

When Borussia Dortmund secured the signature of Jadon Sancho from Manchester City it was seen as a huge coup and their faith in the young forward was rewarded when he recorded double figures in goals and assists for three seasons in a row.

And increasingly he looks to be a bit of a coup for United too. Though he had started slowly at the club, he has found his feet under Rangnick and going into the derby against his old club he knew all eyes were him to perform, particularly when it became clear that Cristiano Ronaldo would be absent.

And though his equaliser will ultimately prove bittersweet due to the final result, Sancho's goal was the result of a fantastic move involving himself, Paul Pogba, Anthony Elanga and Bruno Fernandes, who provided the run that drew Kyle Walker off the winger and gave him the space to curl one into the bottom