Pep Guardiola expressed disbelief at Manchester City’s dramatic loss of form after conceding two late goals to suffer a 2-1 defeat against Manchester United on Sunday.
City’s struggles continue with just one win in their last 11 matches across all competitions, a slump that includes eight losses. Following their unprecedented run of four consecutive Premier League titles, City's hopes of defending their crown appear to be over before Christmas.
Currently sitting fifth and nine points behind leaders Liverpool, who also have a game in hand, City now face the reality of being outside the Champions League places.
"I take full responsibility. I’m the manager, and I haven’t found the solution," said Guardiola. "This is a big club, but when you lose eight out of 11 games, something is clearly wrong. Blaming the schedule or injuries is not the answer. I’m simply not good enough right now.”
Did you read this?
**A Devastating Loss at Old Trafford**
City had been on track for a crucial win against their rivals, thanks to Josko Gvardiol's first-half header. However, a series of defensive errors proved costly in the final moments.
A misplaced pass by Matheus Nunes allowed Amad Diallo to break through on goal. Nunes' attempt to recover led to a clumsy foul, gifting Bruno Fernandes an 88th-minute penalty, which he converted to level the score.
Moments later, Diallo capitalized on a long ball over the defense, completing a stunning turnaround and deepening City's crisis.
Reflecting on the defeat, Guardiola admitted he underestimated the challenges this season would bring. "From the beginning, I knew it would be a tough season, but I didn’t imagine it would be this hard," he said.
**Harsh Words from Bernardo Silva**
Midfielder Bernardo Silva was scathing in his assessment, criticizing his team’s costly mistakes. "At this level, one or two games can be unlucky, but this is not about luck," said the Portuguese international. "If you make such poor decisions with just minutes to go, you deserve the consequences. We played like an under-15s team in the final moments.”
City’s defeat to their local rivals marks a new low in what has been a shocking dip for a side that has dominated English football for the past decade. As Guardiola and his players face mounting pressure, the search for solutions becomes increasingly urgent.
