Manchester United fans started to flood out of the Etihad Stadium just before half-time after witnessing their side humiliated by local rivals Manchester City on Sunday afternoon.
Phil Foden and Erling Haaland struck twice each to put the reigning Premier League champions in control - and bring United's recent revival to an abrupt halt. Erik ten Hag's side went into the Manchester derby having won their last four top-flight fixtures but were outclassed by City in the extreme.
Foden got on the end of Bernardo Silva's cross to lash past David de Gea just eight minutes into the match, before the electric Haaland doubled the lead from Kevin De Bruyne's corner shortly after the half-hour mark. The league's top goalscorer added his second of the afternoon with a back-post finish - again, the majestic De Bruyne was the creator - before setting up Foden to pile more misery on United.
Many of the fans wearing red who had made the short trip to the Etihad could be seen leaving the stadium after Foden extended the lead further. "They've [the United supporters] had enough," Old Trafford legend Gary Neville said on Sky Sports at half-time.
"That last goal was an absolute pleasure to watch, absolutely brilliant. The first few minutes when [Diogo] Dalot got booked, Manchester United have never settled into this game. Forcing it, anxious, no composure, then pulled apart from an outstanding football team. Haaland was quiet, we hadn't seen him then he's taken the game away from Manchester United in three blistering moments."
What went wrong for Manchester United in the first half against Manchester City? Have your say in the comments!
The co-commentator then accused Ten Hag's players of "bottling it", adding: "Forget the goals they've conceded, on the ball, just giving it away all the time. They've been really nervous, Manchester United. They've just not handled this Manchester derby at all and Manchester City are too well set [up], they've been absolutely exploited."
Former City defender Micah Richards - like the United defender - was blown away by what he witnessed from Haaland and De Bruyne. Discussing the Sky Blues' exceptional third, the pundit said: "This is the goal that is poetry in motion. I don't know why Manchester United decide to leave that space in the middle of the park. We talk about them being a counter-attacking team but look at the ball from De Bruyne, the timing. Haaland keeps looking, it’s a dink, he finishes it with his studs. He's an incredible talent."
Haaland's first-half double took his tally to an astonishing 13 goals in eight Premier League appearances, reaffirming his status as one of the greatest players in the world following his £51million summer arrival from Borussia Dortmund.
