Pep Guardiola admitted that his sleep has been affected by Manchester City’s growing crisis, facing the added stress of one of his most shocking defeats during his tenure.
Guardiola appeared visibly agitated, even after City took the lead in the Manchester derby with Josko Gvardiol’s header in the 36th minute. His reaction to the goal was one of disappointment, feeling it came from a deflected cross rather than a more aesthetically pleasing finish.
Before the second half began, he sat alone, eyes closed, sipping from a water bottle, but his frustration deepened as Manchester United produced an unlikely late comeback.
In the 88th minute, Matheus Nunes made a costly mistake, gifting the ball to Amad Diallo before fouling him in an attempt to recover. Bruno Fernandes calmly converted the penalty.
Then, just two minutes later, a routine long ball from Lisandro Martinez caught City’s defense off guard, and goalkeeper Ederson’s positioning was wrong. Diallo seized the opportunity to score from a tight angle, leaving Guardiola and the team stunned.
It marked the latest point in any game, at 88 minutes, that the reigning Premier League champions had lost after leading. It was also the first time City had been defeated after holding a lead so late in a match.
Guardiola’s previous record of dominance at home, where City had lost only four out of 105 Premier League games when leading at half-time, was also shattered.
In a harsh self-assessment, Guardiola told Match of the Day: “I am not good enough. I am the boss, the manager. I have to find solutions, and so far, I haven’t. That’s the reality. No excuses. Manchester United were relentless. We can’t defend that, especially after losing eight games in two seasons.”
Guardiola has hinted that a significant rebuild will have to wait until the summer, but the warning signs of a sharp decline in City’s fortunes have been evident for weeks. The team has lost the invincible aura that once intimidated opponents, leaving many defeated before even stepping onto the pitch.
Guardiola has previously said that City must simply “survive” this season, though it’s unclear what “survival” means for a club with such lofty ambitions. Their quest for a record fifth consecutive Premier League title appears over, with City now nine points behind leaders Liverpool, having played one game more. Their hopes of advancing in the Champions League are also in danger after a defeat to Juventus in Turin.
City’s squad, once formidable, is aging and showing signs of wear. The relentless drive for success seems to have faded, and their superiority has diminished. Now, opponents sense weakness and exploit it, as Manchester United demonstrated in this latest match.
While Guardiola could point to injuries, particularly to Rodri and John Stones, such excuses cannot account for the dramatic drop in performance or the visible vulnerabilities that are being easily taken advantage of. The task of rebuilding City will not be quick. Each defeat highlights the growing challenge and pressure facing Guardiola.
He will have the resources to make changes, but so will City’s competitors, who are also strengthening their squads.
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Kevin de Bruyne, 34 in June, played just 68 minutes before being substituted, as injuries and age catch up with one of the Premier League’s greatest players. It’s unlikely he’ll be at City next season. Kyle Walker, also 34, is increasingly being exposed, with his most notable moment against United being a stumble after a minor collision. Ilkay Gundogan, another 34-year-old and a cornerstone of Guardiola’s past successes, is no longer able to make the same impact after his move from Barcelona.
Other once-reliable players are also faltering. Phil Foden, last season’s Premier League Player of the Season with 27 goals and 12 assists, has only three goals and two assists in 18 appearances this season. Jack Grealish, who came on against United after 77 minutes, hasn’t scored in a year for City, with his last goal coming on December 16 last year in a 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace. Erling Haaland, once prolific, has slowed down, scoring just three goals in his last 11 Premier League games after a strong start to the season.
City’s reliance on Haaland has become clear, with defender Josko Gvardiol’s goal against United being his fourth of the season, making him City’s second-highest scorer in all competitions behind Haaland, who has 18.
Even Ederson, the previously dependable goalkeeper, was dropped earlier this season and didn’t cover himself well for United’s winning goal.
Guardiola, having just signed a new two-year contract, insists he “wants it,” as he navigates this unfamiliar territory of failure. He is fully aware of the enormity of the task ahead, as he buried his face in his hands in despair following yet another damaging defeat.
City and Guardiola now find themselves in uncharted, unforgiving waters.
