#OleOut: Man Utd fans call for Solskjaer sacking after humiliation by Man City
It was agony for the Red Devils as City ran riot in the Carabao Cup at Old Trafford
Carabao Cup semi-final first leg Manchester United 1 Manchester City 3
Manchester City silenced their noisy neighbours in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final after a dominant performance at Old Trafford.
The match was as good as over at half-time with City going into the break with a three-goal lead, and although United pulled a goal back in the second period it was of scant consolation to the home fans.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admitted the feeble first half showing was the “worst we have played this season”, and barring an extraordinary turn of events in the second leg City will progress to the Wembley final.
The winners of the Manchester derby semi-final tie will face Leicester City or Aston Villa in the final. Leicester host Villa in tonight’s other semi-final first leg (8pm, live on Sky Sports).
Mountain to climb
Solskjaer’s future at Old Trafford is once again in the spotlight and fans reacted to last night’s display by calling for the Norwegian’s sacking.
After the match he admitted that his team have a “steep mountain to climb” if they are to beat their rivals and reach the final on 1 March.
He said: “From the first goal until half-time we just couldn’t cope with the setback, we were running in between, we let them play, our heads dropped, made decisions we shouldn’t do and that needed sorting at half-time.”
The Daily Mail reports that Solskjaer questioned the pride of his players after the feeble first-half capitulation.
He said: “The first half, from their first goal, was the worst we’ve played. Pride is a word you speak about at half-time.
“It’s natural that your head goes down but we have to get back into the mentality quicker. It can’t be me at half-time.”
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine. Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Pep pleased
Marcus Rashford’s goal on 70 minutes has given United a glimmer of hope but City remain on course to win their third consecutive League Cup.
Goals from Bernardo Silva, Riyad Mahrez and an own goal by Andreas Pereira gave the visitors their half-time cushion and manager Pep Guardiola expressed his satisfaction with the performance, despite their failure to score after the break.
“We played good in the first half,” said the Spaniard. “You cannot expect to come here and score four or five goals in 45 minutes, but 0-3 is good enough.”
If anything, Guardiola seemed pleased that United pulled a goal back, a reminder to his players that complacency could be their trickiest opponent in the return fixture.
He added: “It was a good result for us but I take note about what happened in the second half for the second leg in three weeks.”
The second leg takes place on Wednesday 29 January at the Etihad Stadium (7.45pm, live on Sky Sports).
Reactions to Man Utd’s feeble first leg
David McDonnell, Daily Mirror
“United have spent close to £1bn on players since Sir Alex Ferguson retired seven years ago, but are further away than ever from reclaiming their status as the country’s dominant football force.”
Henry Winter, The Times
“This was humiliating for United. Fans will whisper their relief that it could have been worse, but that first half needs watching by the Glazer family to understand fully the importance of long-term strategic planning and proper recruitment as City, and Liverpool, do.”
Adam Bates, Sky Sports
“United conceded three goals in the first half for the first time here in 22 years. The gulf between the two teams was obvious to everyone… and it made for a frustrating sight for the home support.”
Chris Bevan, BBC Sport
“Solskjaer’s side are, somehow, still alive in the tie but this game should be seen as a reminder of how urgently United need reinforcements this month, even if they are more expensive than the club’s owners would like.”
#OleOut: how United fans reacted on Twitter
Today’s back pages
Ben Stokes is England’s superhero and it’s blue murder at Old Trafford
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine. Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - November 2, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - anti-fascism, early voter turnout, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Geoff Capes obituary: shot-putter who became the World’s Strongest Man
In the Spotlight The 'mighty figure' was a two-time Commonwealth Champion and world-record holder
By The Week UK Published
-
Israel attacks Iran: a 'limited' retaliation
Talking Point Iran's humiliated leaders must decide how to respond to Netanyahu's measured strike
By The Week UK Published
-
The wit and wisdom of Sven-Göran Eriksson
In Depth The first foreign coach to manage England on football, life and death
By The Week Staff Published
-
The Premier League's spending cap: levelling the playing field?
Talking Point Top clubs oppose plans to link spending to income of lowest-earning club, but rule could prevent success gap from widening
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is a new English football regulator an own goal for the game?
Talking Point PM hails 'historic moment for football fans' but West Ham owner warns it could 'ruin' Premier League
By The Week UK Published
-
Manchester United and Mason Greenwood: duty of care or double standards?
Talking Point The 21-year-old footballer’s possible return has provoked an outpouring of dismay from supporters
By Jamie Timson Published
-
2023-2024 Premier League predictions: champions, relegation and golden boot
feature A look at the top flight talking points and pundit picks for the new season
By Mike Starling Published
-
‘Genuine visionary’: is Pep Guardiola the greatest of all time?
feature Spaniard has now won two trebles following Man City’s Champions League triumph
By The Week Staff Published
-
Champions League final: Man City vs. Inter predictions and preview
feature Can Guardiola’s team finally win the Champions League and complete a historic treble?
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Man City: can ‘one of the best sides in history’ win the treble?
feature Guardiola’s Premier League champions have two more trophies in their sights
By The Week Staff Published