At least Manchester United have got their defence of the Carabao Cup to concentrate on this week. They should put all their resources into their fourth round tie against Newcastle United on Wednesday because, frankly, the most prestigious silverware in English football remains out of their reach. Way out of their reach.
An afternoon that began with a beautifully moving tribute to Sir Bobby Charlton and an evocation of past glories at Old Trafford turned into another sobering lesson at the hands of Manchester City, whose majestic dominance over their local rivals in the last decade has been a constant reminder of how far United have fallen.