Manchester United paid the price for their lack of confidence against Manchester City, insists Nicky Butt
Manchester United’s lack of confidence proved their undoing in a 3-1 defeat to rivals Manchester City on Sunday, according to the club’s head of youth coaching Nicky Butt.
Jose Mourinho’s team registered just one shot on target as they were outclassed by City at the Etihad Stadium, with goals from David Silva, Sergio Aguero and Ilkay Gundogan cementing their dominance either side of Anthony Martial’s second-half penalty.
United’s defeat ended a run of three consecutive victories in all competitions but according to Butt, Mourinho’s team paid the price for being low on morale against the Premier League champions.
“I think it's difficult when you have got players that aren't in form,” Butt said, speaking at the International Player Care Conference.”It doesn't matter who you are or what team you manage, if the players are not on a high or confident they are not going to win too many games.
“At United at the minute, players are low on confidence. They came up against the probably the best team in Europe [Manchester City] and got beaten.
“They are steadily improving. The manager has recognised that and they are getting some consistency in the team.”
United were forced to take on City without club-record signing Paul Pogba after the Frenchman picked up a knock in their midweek comeback win over Juventus in the Champions League, and Butt added that the Frenchman’s absence was always going to be felt in midfield against City.
“The injury to Pogba can kill any team,” he insisted. “They are not getting all the luck but that City game is gone now and hopefully they can push on to Christmas and get into a position where they are challenging in the top four.”
United lie eighth in the Premier League, 12 points adrift of leaders City, having won just six and lost four of their opening 12 matches this season.
