Manchester United: 5 things learned from the dramatic Manchester Derby

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A step backwards for Bailly and Smalling

After a number of top performances together, Eric Bailly and Chris Smalling had a nightmare first half on Saturday. The pair were being split open and tore apart by Manchester City.

They cannot take all of the blame. Bailly and Smalling were not prepared for Bernado Silva to play as the central player in a front three. Silva was instructed by Pep Guardiola to play as a false nine, meaning he dropped deeper to show for the ball. This dragged either Smalling or Bailly out of the centre back position and left space for the other City attacking players to run in behind. Mourinho did not prepare his players for this scenario.

However, both Bailly and Smalling made a number of individual mistakes too, none more obvious than City’s first goal. They both had much better second half’s, especially Smalling. The Englishman made a number of crucial blocks and tackles. /

Saturday’s performance was definitely two steps backwards for a pair who have been in terrific form recently. Mourinho has played them both together a lot recently and deservingly so. I hope Jose sticks with the pairing for matches going forward and that first half display shouldn’t define their seasons.

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