After talk of a possible Manchester United upset ahead of this afternoon's Manchester derby, there was to be no such shock at The Etihad.
Manchester City outplayed their local rivals in every aspect of the game, with their dominance in the second half a sight to behold.
Oddly enough, Manchester United actually played well enough in the opening stages despite conceding a goal in the the fourth minute to Kevin De Bruyne.
Jadon Sancho scored an excellent equaliser a few minutes later, but that was about as good as it got for Ralf Rangnick's side.
All of their good work was undone with some very sloppy defending at the back.
There were a number of errors in the buildup to City's second goal, the most egregious of which was Harry Maguire allowing the ball the run between his legs and back into the danger zone.
And Manchester City re-take the lead! 🔵
Kevin De Bruyne grabs his second of the game from close range, as the hosts go into a 2-1 lead! Keep your eyes out for that flick from Phil Foden in the build-up! pic.twitter.com/Owaj7NdlAk— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 6, 2022
Maguire's form hardly picked up in the second half.
The United captain was caught out on a number of occasions and was perhaps a tad fortunate to stay on the pitch after a very poor challenge on De Bruyne.
The result was put beyond all doubt in the 68th minute, with Riyad Mahrez brilliantly slotting home after being picked out from a corner.
Despite a decent start to the game, this was certainly a very poor afternoon for Manchester United. They seemed to essentially give up in the final 25 minutes, allowing the home team to pass the ball around unchallenged and score another goal.
IT'S FOUR! 😮
Riyad Mahrez adds his second goal of the game, after a VAR review shows he was onside, and wraps up the win for Manchester City! pic.twitter.com/EtzXATxfxp— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 6, 2022
Gary Neville labelled their lack of effort as 'embarrassing' in the commentary booth during the closing stages, an assessment that was difficult to disagree with. It was certainly the performance of a side who seem to lack the drive to compete with the very best teams.
Roy Keane calls out Manchester United players for 'shameful' effort
Speaking on Sky Sports after the game, Roy Keane was less than complimentary about his former team. He echoed Neville's comments that the team had given up, something he believes is the worst accusation you can throw at a professional footballer.
In a very calm manner, he completely obliterated the current side.
"They gave up and shame on them"
Roy Keane didn't hold back on Manchester United's second-half performance during their 4-1 defeat to Manchester City 👇 pic.twitter.com/afLZMnQd3m— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 6, 2022
I think the worst thing you could say about United, and Gary mentioned it, is that they did give up. For a player in a derby, or any game, to give up is unforgivable.
The beauty of top level sport is that there is no hiding place. Man United had done well here for the last couple of years, but we saw all of their shortcomings here today. Man City were very good in the second half.
Listen you can lose football matches, we've all lost football matches. But the way United lost it today, they stopped running and gave up. There are players not running back, that's what I don't understand.
The manager will be criticised and the tactics, but players not running back when you're playing for Man United, it is really unacceptable. I think they threw the towel in, which is a shame...
They're not running back or tackling. United players have shown quality over the years, but we've just seen a reflection of where the club is. They are so far behind the other teams.
There are ways to lose football matches. You still have your own bit of pride. Whatever is going on in the dressing room, we hear noises all the time, problems maybe with the new manager coming in. At some stage your own pride has to kick in.
There are players there playing for United and I'm getting really frustrated watching them. I forgive mistakes, but you've got to run back. There are five or six players on that team that should never play for Man United again.
It's shameful. It's shameful that you can't run back, can't put your body on the line...
The subs that came on didn't have an impact, they're not prepared to run around. You have the couple of lads in midfield, Wan-Bissaka, Fred, Maguire, Rashford came on, I could go on. Four goals?
City weren't even at their best, they didn't have to be at their best. They were just toying with them. It was like the game at Old Trafford, men against boys.
They gave up. Shame on them.
Roy Keane certainly wouldn't have stood for the antics of this group during his own playing days.
That dressing room needs quite the shake-up.
SEE ALSO: Keane & Richards Threw Some Digs Over The Other's Derby Celebrations
