'Mutiny is starting to simmer'

FANS SHOW THEIR DISCONTENT AS UNITED OUTPLAYED AND OUTCLASSED AGAIN

- SAMUEL LUCKHURST

IT was United's followers who rocked to "Champions of England, champions of Europe" 15 years ago. The only section singing it at Old Trafford on Sunday were standing in the away section.

"Old Trafford is falling down", "Champions again, ole, ole, ole", "City won three in a row" and "Champions of Europe we know what we are" were among the City chants that will have stung regulars at Old Trafford. The stoppage-time signalled the start of more "ole"s.

"Mind the gap" was another. The gap is somehow only nine points but City and United are such distant poles apart that they practically play different sports.

United were, as ever, introduced as "the greatest football club in the world" by stadium compere Alan Keegan. Their followers would rather have one of the billings that prefix city.

So often in the past decade, City have rocked up at M16 and coasted to victory. This derby victory can be added to those from 2014, 2019 and 2021.

Erik ten Hag, heckled with cries of "Ten Hag is a f****** clown", is doubting himself weekly. Scott McTominay started high and ended low, a centre-back was at left-back and this was the seventh home game in the last nine that Ten Hag made a half-time substitution and the fourth in succession.

Sofyan Amrabat, still operating at the sedate Serie A level, was hooked at the interval again. The criteria of performing at an international tournament, playing under the manager and sharing the same agent as the manager is not the requisite criteria to represent Manchester United.

Mutiny is starting to simmer. Rasmus Hojlund's removal was booed, just as it was against Brighton last month. This time it felt more significant.