HUMILIATED
Pellegrini’s City job on the line as United dish out a thumping
MANUEL PELLEGRINI last night accepted the blame for yesterday’s emphatic Manchester derby defeat that has plunged his job into even greater jeopardy.
Manchester United heaped more pressure on the beleaguered City boss (below) with a 4-2 win at Old Trafford, lifting them four points clear of their rivals in the race for a Champions League place. City capitulated after taking an early lead through Sergio Aguero, and Pellegrini said: ‘I always think it is my responsibility, always. I think it was a clear result for Manchester United. ‘ But I am not talking about my position — it is not important.’ The Premier League champions have lost six of their last eight games in all competitions, and a team who were joint top on New Year’s Day are now fighting to finish in the top four.
City sources maintain that
MANCHESTER UNITED had four different scorers yesterday. At the start of the season I don’t think anyone would have thought that quartet would be anywhere near the team, let alone scoring vital goals in a huge Manchester derby.
With all that money flashing around you would have picked Angel di Maria over Juan Mata, Marcus Rojo over Chris Smalling and just about anybody over Marouane Fellaini and Ashley Young.
But all four have proved their worth. People said Mata was too slow but his brain is certainly quick enough. Fellaini is now United’s go-to guy and Smalling has improved. As for Young, who would have thought he would become one of United’s most consistent players?
It just shows how Louis van Gaal works. He doesn’t care about names — he wants to pick the right person at the right time and give everyone a chance.
The only potential problem would be a Michael Carrick injury. He has been instrumental in United’s revival (below).
As for Manuel Pellegrini, I feel for him because he seems a good guy but this could be the final straw.