From the garbage to the incinerator: Manchester City’s season goes up in flames after loss to United
Manuel Pellegrini unable to explain sixth defeat in last eight games with hopes of retaining the Premier League title in tatters
Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini said he could not explain his team’s disintegration after seeing them blown away 4-2 by Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday.
I don’t understand why a team only plays so well in the first 20 minutes
The defeat, City’s sixth in eight games in all competitions, left last season’s champions 12 points behind leaders Chelsea having played a game more and four points adrift of third-place United in the contest for an automatic Champions League qualifying berth.
It is likely to increase speculation about Pellegrini’s position at the Etihad Stadium, a year after he led City to a league and League Cup double, and he was at a loss to explain his side’s shortcomings.
Before the game Pellegrini had already delivered a damning verdict on his club’s season, saying they had thrown their campaign “into the garbage”.
“I don’t understand why a team only plays so well in the first 20 minutes,” the Chilean said at Old Trafford.
“We dominated, created chances, we had the ball. At 1-1, United started growing and their third goal gave them the confidence they did not have before.
“It is not just one problem. The same team played well for 20 minutes. Maybe it’s a lack of class at this moment. I don’t know.”
Asked if he was worried about his future at City, he replied: “I’m not talking about my position.”