Eric Bailly own goal helps Man city compound United woes

 

Eric Bailly’s early own goal against Manchester City has proved why he “will never be a starter” according to some Manchester United fans.

The Ivory Coast international fired the ball past David De Gea into the United net after only seven minutes.

On social media, some fans quickly reacted to the mistake by the centre back, who started in a back three alongside Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire.

One wrote: “That’s why Bailly will never be a starter for United. No matter how well he plays or how good he can be, he always has these mistakes and is so rash and unreliable.”

Someone quickly agreed with this statement: “This is an awful setup, the own goal just gives Ole (Gunnar Solskjaer) something to blame.”

The United boss transitioned to playing three centre backs following the humiliating 0-5 defeat to Liverpool at Old Trafford

The same system was also used in the 2-2 draw against Atalanta in the Champions League, where two Cristiano Ronaldo goals were needed to salvage a point.

Bailly’s give away and dismal first-half performance consigned Manchester United to a 2-0 defeat by Manchester City at Old Trafford, their fourth defeat in six Premier League games.

After the nightmare of that 5-0 Liverpool defeat nearly a fortnight ago, it was looking ominous for United as City took the lead on seven minutes through Eric Bailly’s own goal as he stretched to intercept Joao Cancelo’s dangerous cross.

United could have gone level on points with City with a win, but the chasm between them at Old Trafford was enormous as the hosts put in another low-grade display that will put pressure back on manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

David de Gea made no less than five excellent saves in seven first-half minutes as City peppered United’s goal, but the goalkeeper should have kept out Bernardo Silva’s poke at the most acute of angles just before the break from another Cancelo ball , though Luke Shaw was equally culpable for some slack defending.

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United brought on Jadon Sancho at the break and at least stemmed the flow in a less eventful second half – Gary Neville said they “resembled a drunk bloke at the end of a night looking for a fight” on co-commentary – though City still missed fine chances for Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden.