Manchester United's long-term strategy, Darren Fletcher's role and Mauricio Pochettino latest

Goalkeeper David de Gea has sent a powerful message to Manchester United's supporters following Sunday's 4-1 defeat to Manchester City, becoming the first United player to break his silence on social media since the game in the process.

Manchester United were accused of "giving up" against Manchester City after standing around and watching their opponents knock the ball about in the closing stages.United were hammered out of sight at the Etihad, with a brace apiece from Kevin De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez sealing a comfortable 4-1 win for the hosts. Despite the one-sided scoreline, Ralf Rangnick's side had their moments and equalised through Jadon Sancho after going behind early on in the contest. But when Mahrez made it 3-1 on 68 minutes, United's heads dropped, and their lack of intensity and desire was clear for all to see - not least Gary Neville.

Gary Neville has admitted that he would be "stunned" if Ralf Rangnick is in charge of Manchester United next season.

Former right-back Gary Neville believes Manchester United will be looking to appoint Erik ten Hag over Mauricio Pochettino as their next permanent manager because he will fit their long-term vision better.

Manchester United will be ashamed at the fact that Manchester City didn't even have to 'work that hard' to thump them on Sunday.Kevin De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez bagged a brace apiece to seal an emphatic 4-1 win for Pep Guardiola's side.De Bruyne fired City into a fifth minute lead, only for Jadon Sancho to net a stunning goal to restore parity.But United faded badly after the break and put in a limp second half display to cap an awful afternoon for Ralf Rangnick's side. And Schmeichel believes that the way that City strolled to success will sting United the most."It is a good reflection of this game," the United icon said after the match."The difference in quality and willingness to do what is needed was evident.

Former midfielder Roy Keane has suggested that Manchester United's players are not giving their all for Ralf Rangnick due to his status as interim manager.

Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick insists he has no reason to dispute the cause behind Cristiano Ronaldo's absence for the 4-1 thrashing by City and insisted it would be unhelpful to be 'frustrated' by the continued absence of Edinson Cavani.

Gary Neville has labelled Manchester United's display at Manchester City as 'disgraceful' after a 4-1 defeat at the Etihad Stadium.

Harry Maguire was hammered for the part he played in Manchester City's second goal against Manchester United on Sunday - with many saying he 'turned his back' on the danger.The United skipper and England international has come under fire for his performances under Ralf Rangnick, with many thinking he would be dropped for the derby.Having been picked to start alongside Victor Lindelof as Raphael Varane tested positive for Covid, it didn't take long for Kevin De Bruyne to score the opener.With that strike going through the legs of Maguire and past David de Gea, the central defender was again at fault following Jadon Sancho's equaliser. Following Phil Foden's fine run and strike at goal, Maguire was left with his back to the ball after it was parried by his colleague - Bernardo Silva had a shot of his own before De Bruyne fired home.One Twitter user said of Maguire after watching the footage back: "Mental how bad that is."With a second saying: "I don't understand what he is doing??"And a third agreeing: "How’s he not clearing that…"Should Manchester United change their captain? Give us your thoughts in the comments sectionRoy Keane was just as annoyed at the United defence, saying at the break: "It’s sloppy, too casual at the back (on De Bruyne’s second goal)."Aaron Wan-Bissaka not going to win the header, Anthony Elanga too casual, it’s frustrating because United have done some decent stuff."But the concentration and intensity for the two goals has not been good enough."United went on to concede twice through Riyad Mahrez in the second-half, with Maguire booked as United flopped to a damaging 4-1 defeat.

Manchester United slumped to a disappointing 4-1 defeat against Manchester City to leave their top-four hopes hanging by a thread.Kevin De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez bagged a brace apiece to put a severe dent in United's Champions League aspirations on a sobering afternoon at the Etihad.United were carved open after just five minutes, with De Bruyne finding space in the box to fire the hosts into an early lead.But United fired back through Jadon Sancho, who finished a slick, sweeping move in style.Unfortunately for Ralf Rangnick's side, that parity only lasted five minutes before De Bruyne was left in acres of space to stab home his second goal of the afternoon.And Mahrez killed the game off in the 69th minute by volleying home a sensational strike before netting again in added time.Daily Star Sport looks at the big calls Rangnick got wrong on a disappointing afternoon at the Etihad...Five things he got wrong...Despite loading his team with central midfielders, Rangnick could only watch as De Bruyne dominated the derby.City's Belgian maestro was afforded all the time and space in the world to pick his spot inside United's penalty area for both of his goals.United couldn't cope with his movement and passing - but they did little to try and stop him.Scott McTominay and Fred failed to get anywhere near the City playmaker, who ran rings around City's bitter rivals.And it was ultimately United's soft centre that scuppered their hopes of taking anything from Sunday's showdown.What did you make of Man Utd's performance against Man City? Give us your thoughts in the comments section.Rangnick rolled the dice by opting against selecting a traditional striker for the crunch clash - and it was a gamble that failed to pay off.While

Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick confirmed that Edinson Cavani ruled himself out of selection for the Manchester Derby despite being fit for training last week. The striker was not in the squad for the Red Devil''s short trip to the Etihad, even though Rangnick had indicated that he would be fit for the crucial game against Manchester City.

Manchester United and Manchester City was suspended for a medical emergency. Medical staff rushed to the stands as players awaited instructions from the referee.

Ralf Rangnick has hinted that he already 'knows who he wants' to replace him as Manchester United's new boss.And he's refused to rule out Erik ten Hag, as speculation persists that the Dutchman is Rangnick's top choice for the role.Rangnick was handed the reins on an interim basis after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was axed back in November.The German is set to move from the dugout into a two-year consultancy role at the end of the season - meaning he'll have a big say in who succeeds him at Old Trafford. Rangnick revealed that he's already made his mind up about the vacancy, although he's not yet discussed it with the United hierarchy.He told Sky Sports: "So far we haven't at all spoken about that, nobody, not just [United football director] John Murtough but nobody else, we haven't had that topic in the last weeks and months since I'm here.

Manchester City fans have been reacting with glee after Kevin De Bruyne gave them an early lead in the derby against Manchester United.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence could help the side beat Manchester City.Ronaldo is not in the matchday squad for the widely-anticipated Manchester Derby owing to injury, according to reports.And despite him being the club’s top goal soccer this season, Neville feels that him not being there is “not a huge loss.”The Sky Sports pundit is normally a huge fan of the superstar - but in this instance, against Pep Guardiola’s club who like to dominate possession, Neville feels as though Ronaldo is better served out the side anyway.

Gary Neville has admitted he has doubts over whether Erik ten Hag and Mauricio Pochettino are suitable for Manchester United.

Cristiano Ronaldo has been dropped for the game against Manchester City for tactical reasons, according to reports. The Manchester United player is not part of Ralf Rangnick ’s side for the game at the Eithad, with many reports suggesting that he has been ruled out of the game through injury.

Manchester United before joining Spanish giants Real Madrid, and the Portuguese star was known for cutting in from the left to devastating effect.But Ronaldo was asked to become a centre-forward at Juventus, and despite adopting the no.9 role at United during his second stint, he didn't like the idea of being a regular starter in a central role.That's according to Maurizio Sarri, who perhaps got the best season out of Ronaldo while he was at Juevntus, after making the mega-move from Madrid in 2018.But the Italian revealed that Ronaldo refused to play centre-forward, and believes that it may be contributing to his goal drought at United as he is a natural out wide.Sarri was asked by Sky Italia if Ronaldo refused to play as a striker under him at Juventus, and the current Lazio coach said: "Cristiano scored more Serie A goals in his season with me than any other.What is Cristiano Ronaldo's best position at Manchester United? Comment below."He was prepared to play centre-forward in a few games when we had an emergency situation, but he didn’t much like the idea of doing it regularly."In those situations, you end up challenging the certainties that the player has. Ronaldo scored 35-40 goals per season by starting from that wider position, so for him it was an almost absurd request.

Shaun Wright-Phillips has highlighted where Manchester City can exploit Manchester United in Sunday's Manchester derby.

Gary Neville thinks Manchester United could be better without Cristiano Ronaldo against Manchester City on Sunday afternoon.

Bernardo Silva has insisted he doesn’t pay any attention to stats as he brushed off rival fans’ criticisms. The Portuguese star has been one of City’s standout players this season. The 27-year-old has bounced back following a somewhat disappointing campaign last season to once again nail down a place in Pep Guardiola’s side.