Pep Guardiola reacts to Diogo Dalot tackle and explains shock Erling Haaland substitution | OneFootball

Manchester United defender controversially avoided red card for reckless challenge early on in derby win over Man City

Pep Guardiola admitted that Manchester United were the “better team” in their 2-0 victory over Manchester City and refused to blame the failure to send off Diogo Dalot early for his side’s defeat.

The margin of City’s loss could have been far worse, with three United goals ruled out for offside, the hosts hitting the woodwork twice and also forcing goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma into some strong saves.

Guardiola refused to blame Dalot controversially avoiding a dismissal for his woeful 11th-minute challenge on Jeremy Doku for the result, with ex-referee Mike Dean calling it “100 per cent a red card” on Sky Sports as fans and pundits alike agreed.

The City boss said: "You could say that, you could say that red card, different game. Many, many situations happen.

"It is easy for me to come here and say it should be a red card. It is not about that; we will not grow up if that is the argument to win or lose a game. You have to do better, and we didn't today.

"We have to look at ourselves. There are some teams that won 10v11. Maybe we wouldn't have won."

Despite Dalot’s studs-up tackle coming late and high, VAR Craig Pawson ruled the contact to have been 'glancing' and without 'excessive force', hence why referee Anthony Taylor’s decision to award only a yellow card was confirmed after review.

After United controlled the game from the outset, Guardiola admitted: "The better team won. They were better. When a team is better, you have to accept it. They had the energy we didn't have, so congratulations.

"They had the chances at the end and of course, the goals we conceded were poor. We didn't control, but in general, we can't talk about this action or that action. We have the duty to analyse the game in general, and they were better."

Guardiola made the shock decision to replace star striker Erling Haaland with 18-year-old Divine Mukasa in the 80th minute at Old Trafford when City were 2-0 down and in need of a late comeback.

Quizzed on that rare and surprise change, the manager said: “We had new energy. At the end, it is a question of how many moments you have.

“It’s not about just Erling, the energy you pass to them, and them to you; it’s a question of the group.

“We are here because Erling has done unbelievably. Of course, he’s played a lot of games, but believe me, it’s not just about him.”

After now going four league games without a win, second-place City sit six points behind leaders Arsenal, who travel to Nottingham Forest on Saturday evening knowing that victory would take them nine clear with 16 games to play.

City could even end the weekend down in third, with Aston Villa, who are on the same number of points but with an inferior goal difference, hosting Everton on Sunday.

Asked about the widening gap at the top, Guardiola said: “It is about how we grow up as a team.

“I have the feeling we have done very good things so far. To be better, you may have to take a step back. The season is a long way, and you have to continue to analyse.”