Premier League 18/19, Manchester United 0-2 Manchester City: 5 players who cost United the game

#1 Jesse Lingard

Manchester United v Manchester City - Premier League

Solskjaer has been guilty of a few bizarre decisions in his short career as a United manager so far but perhaps nothing can explain his continued selection of Jesse Lingard, a player who offers very little on the field. Lingard has been one of the most underperforming players of this United side in recent games, yet found himself in the team sheet, partnering Marcus Rashford in the attack.

Perhaps the Norwegian had high pressing and counter-attack in his mind when he chose Lingard over Lukaku, but the Englishman had no positive impact whatsoever on the game. Lingard pressed relentlessly at the start of the game but that soon faded away. His inability to pick a pass and release the ball early saw quite a few counter attacks fail to flourish. He had a chance to unleash Rashford on a great breakaway but took too much time to carve out the final ball.

Lingard was also guilty of missing one easy chance to score with the open goal at his mercy. As Rashford fed in a cross, the City defense missed the ball and all United needed was a simple tap in. Unfortunately, the ball fell to Lingard, who fluffed his chances from close quarters.