slide-icon

Bernardo Silva makes Arsenal admission after Man Utd hammer Man City

Manchester City failed to close the gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal after losing the derby (Credits: REUTERS)

doc-content image

Bernardo Silva hinted the Premier League title race is slipping out of Manchester City ’s hands following Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Old Trafford .

Pep Guardiola ’s side had the opportunity to halve the deficit at the top of the table with the current league leaders not in action until later on Saturday evening against Nottingham Forest .

United, however, delivered their most complete performance of the campaign in what was interim manager Michael Carrick ’s first game at the helm.

The home team were unfortunate not to be leading at the interval having had two goals ruled out by VAR for marginal offside offences, while Harry Maguire also hit the crossbar from point blank range.

It took until nearly midway through the second half for Carrick’s new-look side to break the deadlock and finally find a way past Gianluigi Donnarumma when Bryan Mbeumo provided the perfect finish to a thrilling counter-attack.

Patrick Dorgu made the points safe with 14 minutes remaining when he benefited from more lax City defending and it could have been worse had Mason Mount’s stoppage time effort been allowed to stand.

City’s players and Pep Guardiola appeared crestfallen at the final whistle and Silva confessed the gap to Arsenal is threatening to become insurmountable.

Our journalists work hard to deliver the most important stories from around the world

doc-content image

Bryan Mbeumo scored Manchester United’s opening goal (Picture: Getty)

doc-content image

‘It is a big gap, we won’t lie and say it isn’t a big gap it is. We will fight until the end,’ he said.

It is now four games without a league win for City and Silva added: ‘They had more energy and intention. It always felt like they were close to score and we were never there.

‘We gave them what they want. They took the game to where they are good and we are not so good.

‘Since I arrived here in England we have always been a very controlled team. There was a lot of things missing from us. Definitely a bad day for us.’

Patrick Dorgu scored Manchester United’s second goal (Picture: Getty)

doc-content image

Guardiola, too, was asked if Mikel Arteta’s side are in danger of running off into the distance and said: ‘It is about how we grow up as a team.

‘I have the feeling we have done very good things so far. To be better you may have to take a step back.

‘The season is a long way and you have to continue to analyse.’

On another disappointing performance, he added: ‘The better team won. They were better. When a team is better you have to accept it. They had the energy we didn’t have, so congratulations.

‘They had the chances at the end and of course the goals we conceded were poorly.

Pep GuardiolaBernardo SilvaBryan MbeumoPatrick DorguPremier LeagueManchester CityArsenalManchester United