“That’s why…” – Pep Guardiola tells Erik ten Hag what’s wrong at Manchester United

Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City side made easy work of Manchester United on Sunday afternoon as they comfortably won 3-0 with goals from Erling Haaland and Phil Foden.

The first half was somewhat close and Erik ten Hag’s side were unfortunate to be on the end of a questionable VAR decision, which led to Haaland’s penalty goal, but the differences between the two teams was still stark.

That gap only grew in the second half, however, as United looked like schoolboys next to their city rivals. Only two further goals do not completely explain the total domination from the visitors.

Guardiola, who has been at City for seven years now, has turned United’s rivals into one of the best teams in the world on a yearly basis, whilst those at Old Trafford continue to be far, far away from the conversation.

The difference, as the Spanish manager described, comes with City’s hierarchy being in sync.

“We are in the same direction,” replied Guardiola when asked what his team’s ‘secret’ is. “Me, the CEO, the sporting directors, the chairman. That is why I think the club is so stable.”

Simply, that is not the case over at Old Trafford. Richard Arnold has been in the job as CEO for a short amount of time and is likely not going to be there much longer. John Murtough is inexperienced in his role as sporting director, meanwhile, City pinched Txiki Begiristain, who worked at Barcelona during some of their best years.

Ten Hag, who seems to have the pressure of the world on his shoulders at the moment, did not help himself on Sunday. Starting Jonny Evans over Raphael Varane was labelled a ‘tactical’ decision before the game and bringing off Rasmus Hojlund early again, one of the only bright sparks for the team, resulted in boos echoing around Old Trafford.

The penalty changed the game. I don’t have a comment on it. I don’t have a comment,” said the United manager after the loss.

He added: “We have to forget this game and recover for Wednesday.”