Who could’ve predicted it? Manchester City stumbled at home with a draw against Everton, and Manchester United lost 2-0 away to Wolves. Fans are left asking: What color is the sky over Manchester now? My answer? It’s not blue or red anymore—it’s about to cave in altogether!
Manchester City: A Crisis of Confidence and Stubborn Tactics
City started the season strong with a nine-game unbeaten streak, but ever since their record-breaking 32-game undefeated run (across seasons) ended against Bournemouth, they’ve fallen apart. In their last nine league games, they’ve managed just one win and five points. Their latest disappointment—a draw against Everton—boils down to two main issues:
- The team’s confidence is shot.
- Guardiola’s stubborn tactical approach.
City did try to up the tempo at the start of both halves, creating some danger through their wing play, but their overall rhythm hasn’t returned. The string of poor results across all competitions has dragged down morale, and it shows on the pitch. Defensively, Akanji has lost his composure, with his poor clearance leading to Everton’s goal. Meanwhile, Rico Lewis, despite his promise in attack, struggles with positioning in defense—no better than Walker, who continues to be targeted by opponents.
Up front, Haaland’s slump continued as he missed a penalty—his second of the season. Fans are starting to ask: Why isn’t his height being used more effectively? This game highlighted some of his weaknesses in heading and attacking efficiency. Guardiola’s insistence on ground-based passing and intricate build-up play, though slightly faster-paced, remains too rigid. Everton’s left-back Mykolenko was clearly the weak link, but aside from earning a penalty through Savinho early in the second half, City failed to exploit this vulnerability.
Guardiola’s “my way or the highway” mentality—refusing to adapt his tactics to suit opponents—is one of the key reasons City didn’t come away with a win.
Looking Ahead
City’s decline is clear, and even finishing in the top four looks like an uphill battle. Without reinforcements in the January transfer window, a second-half resurgence seems unlikely.
Manchester United: Stuck in a Rut, Amorim’s Two Big Problems
United’s struggles are even worse. They’ve now lost four of their last five games, including back-to-back defeats: 3-0 at home to Bournemouth and 2-0 away to Wolves. They haven’t scored a single goal in those two matches. Manager Rúben Amorim faces two pressing issues:
- Set-piece defending is a disaster.
- The 3-4-3/3-4-2-1 system doesn’t fit the squad.
Set-Piece Woes
United conceded yet another goal from a corner against Wolves, bringing their tally to six set-piece goals allowed in the last five league games. This has always been a weak spot for United, but under Amorim, the problem has only gotten worse.
A Misfit Formation
Amorim’s 3-4-3 system worked wonders at Sporting CP, but it’s been far less effective at United. Rashford has now missed four straight games due to disciplinary reasons, and Bruno Fernandes was sent off with a red card in this latest match. The 3-4-3 demands midfielders with exceptional defensive discipline and work rate, but United’s current squad is nowhere near the level of, say, Chelsea’s prime pairing of Matic and Kanté or Jorginho and Kanté.
To make matters worse, Bruno’s red card was his third of the season, further disrupting United’s rhythm.
What’s Next?
United’s next three games are brutal: a home match against Newcastle, an away trip to Liverpool, and an FA Cup tie at Arsenal. Amorim will likely stick with the 3-4-3 or 3-4-2-1 formation, rotating players as he tries to find the right balance. However, this could mean more inconsistent performances and results.
A Final Question for Fans
If you had to choose, would you rather be Amorim or Guardiola right now?
- Would you take charge of a struggling City side with glimmers of hope?
- Or would you tackle United, a team bogged down by problems but desperate for a breakthrough?
Pick your poison!