Three things we learned from Man Utd loss as Kobbie Mainoo provides optimism and Ruben Amorim gets clarity | OneFootball

A full Premier League debut for summer signing Benjamin Sesko also highlights the weight of expectation on his shoulders

Manchester United were comfortably beaten 3-0 by Manchester City as their dismal start to the season continued in the Manchester Derby.

Man City took the lead after 18 minutes as Phil Foden headed home after great work from Jeremy Doku, who burst into the area before crossing, at the second attempt, for the England international.

In a game of few chances, City proved ruthlessly efficient and added to their lead with two goals in the space of 15 minutes through Erling Haaland.

It was yet another chastening afternoon for United, who have won just won of their first four league games.

Here are three things Standard Sport learned from United’s dismal derby defeat.

Mainoo has to be brought in from the cold

As soon as United’s lineup was released, all eyes turned to the midfield pivot of Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte, it spelt danger.

Fernandes is still United’s best player, but for as long as he is played out of position, they are not making the most of his undoubted talent.

Ugarte, meanwhile, has his limitations in possession but it’s his lack of mobility that’s most striking.

The Uruguayan was overwhelmed by City’s midfield, playing team-mates into trouble with passes that lacked purpose.

United were all over the place in midfield as City ran a mock in the second half. That changed when Amorim introduced Kobbie Mainoo from the bench, but by then the result was done.

Driving forward: Kobbie Mainoo

Manchester United via Getty Imag

Mainoo’s cameo, full of energy and direction, did provide late optimism for United, but it will have left many United supporters wondering why he hasn’t been restored to the starting XI.

There was interest in Mainoo’s services during the summer, but he remained at United and Amorim will be thankful he did. In Mainoo he has an academy graduate with genuine world-class potential.

Sesko struggles on start

Ruben Amorim has been clear that Benjamin Sesko will need time to adapt to the physicality of Premier League football, and on the evidence of his performance against City, he remains a long way from being the man capable of leading the line for the Red Devils.

The 21-year-old was schooled by City’s backline. Unable to cope with Ruben Dias’ intensity, he was pushed to the periphery of the game, recording the lowest pass completion rate (57%) of any outfield player.

There were moments of prolonged possession for United in the final third, but with Sesko struggling to link the play, they lacked any fluency or conviction.

Sesko is another young forward learning on the job at United, another expensive risk the club can’t afford to take.

Struggle: Benjamin Sesko

AFP via Getty Images

Amorim, who is on increasingly borrowed time, simply doesn’t have time to wait for Sesko to develop into the player he wants him to be, regardless of whether the Slovenian proves a success.

A Manchester Derby at the Etihad is a cruel introduction to English football, and there will be plenty of chances for Sesko to find his feet, but whether Amorim is still in the dugout to bear the fruits of his labour is a different conversation entirely.

It’s early days, but Sesko, unlike fellow summer signings Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, who are approaching their prime years, feels like a profile mismatch.

Sesko is a young striker who needs nurturing, not the weight of expectation that comes with leading the line for England’s most successful club.

Bayindir remains a liability

Ruben Amorim has kept his faith in Altay Bayindir despite a number of shaky performances.

There, however, remain serious question marks over his long-term suitability as United’s number one after another less than convincing display against City.

The Turkish goalkeeper twice nearly gifted the hosts possession inside the opening 10 minutes, and was constantly goaded by the City supporters every time he touched the ball.

Bayindir has also come in for criticism for failing to command his area from crosses, and with deadline day signing Senne Lammens waiting in the wings, Amorim’s hand will surely be forced sooner rather than later.

Altay Bayindir was targeted by Man City’s players in the derby

Getty Images

United lack authority across the pitch, but above all else, they need a goalkeeper who inspires confidence and leads from the back.

It was a notable point of contrast at the Etihad to see how Gianluigi Donnarumma, on his Manchester City debut, commanded himself by coming out to claim a succession of early United crosses while Bayindir floundered.

Amorim is a man of principle, stringent in his philosophy, but also loyal to the players he feels he can believe in.

It will take a calamity of errors before Amorim feels he can’t trust Bayindir anymore; however, the Portuguese’s undying loyalty could be his undoing.