Man United were expected to annoy City rivals but instead hit a brick wall

Manchester City third-choice goalkeeper Zack Steffen has provided an interesting introduction to big game times for his club.

On Sunday at Chelsea, he began by intimidating his four back by picking up a back pass in the first minute. At Old Trafford last night his own player John Stones passed the ball into the net in the second. The goal was rejected for upside down.

But in both games – following those early worries – the American found himself with very little to do. City won both games comfortably. Against Chelsea, it was no particular surprise. Here against a better Manchester United side.

This was a big test for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ‘s side and they failed miserably. United were not particularly bad. They were in the game until a goal by Fernandinho with five minutes left. But they weren’t particularly good in any way and that’s the relevant point.

We expected more, for sure. United have been going nicely in the Premier League both sides of Christmas, getting good goals, sharpening tight matches and so building the kind of momentum you need ahead of a game against a side. Pep Guardiola.

So we thought maybe they were bothering City but instead they are just hitting a brick wall. This was not running, far from it. United were organized and largely firm and responded to John Stones ’early goal in the second half with some temporary spells.

But what did they actually do? Who left the mark on the game for United? Bruno Fernandes made a very good save from the American Steffen with a 20-yard shot in the first period but after that there wasn’t too much worry to really bother the 25-year-old.

United have improved under Solskjaer. If they take a point at Burnley next Tuesday they will move above Liverpool to the top of the table.

Nonetheless, this game highlighted enduring issues, problems that have yet to be resolved. Name how to establish more control of the ball against the very best teams and how to lead a game with more certainty.

This United team can be inspiring to watch. They have some box office players. Fernandes, Marcus Rashford and, when healthy and mentally in tune, young Mason Greenwood. They are able to turn games over and save games late. But forcing other teams to play at their own pace and rhythms? That’s not so much.

United still skittish. They don’t trust. They are thriving this season behind their own steps forward but also from the inconsistency of others.

Put this United side in any of the last three or four seasons in the Premier League and they would have been controversial for the fourth and a few more.

The fact is that they seem to need an extra pair of high quality players. United need a player grip at world level and a half center. They could also be developed in both full-back positions. Solskjaer has been lucky with injuries this season at a time when other clubs are not – such as Wednesday night ‘s opponents.

This all feels awfully picky and, at a time when United are in an elevated league position, that ‘s for sure.

United’s form has been good, the resilience of their well-scrutinized young manager has been astounding. But United need to get to another level if they are really going to take on a challenge for this year’s Premier League and this was a night that showed.

They were sharp at times in the first instance. United’s transition from defense to attack can be very difficult to handle and there were scenes of that against a City team that is just coming into its own good shape.

With the far better pairs of Scott McTominay and Fred sitting in front of the back four, Paul Pogba was asked to take the left position of the three faces. If the Frenchman is to ever succeed at United – in himself highly unlikely – he must be out of this position.

City had never stretched much but they had to be seen. At times, the worst threat to their goal seemed to come from a lineman on the nearby side who seemed to intend to leave his foot calls until the ball was pretty much in the line. net.

United needed a game winner here, a stand-out player. They had a City. Fernandinho – who will be so difficult to replace if he leaves in the summer – was one while their main defender Ruben Dias was another. Later, Kevin De Bruyne used the ball better than anyone else on the field.

The home team did not take these individual achievements to lead them. Fernandes is dangerous while Rashford has been in good shape. But is that enough in the big games? Doesn’t there have to be more of a general presence? Some authority?

Under Solskjaer, United have become increasingly risky not yet reaching the levels of fear and desire that exemplified their great teams of today.

This was Solskjaer’s fourth semi-final loss and that will hurt him. In the league, meanwhile, he will know that the likes of City and Liverpool will improve as the campaign moves forward. United must do the same if they are to make sure they qualify recently.