Ronaldo spared as hat-trick hero Haaland humiliates United

MANCHESTER, England - So complete was the humiliation of Erik ten Hag's first Manchester derby that he chose to protect Cristiano Ronaldo from enduring the shame of being associated with such a performance.

A 6-3 defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday flattered United, with substitute Anthony Martial firing twice late on to add a modicum of respectability to the score.

But it could not disguise the total dominance of Pep Guardiola's Premier League champions, or Erling Haaland's status as arguably the most fearsome forward in world soccer.

What a contrast between the Norwegian - who scored his third hat-trick of the season - and Ronaldo, who watched on from the sidelines.

Ten Hag was scathing in his criticism of his team and revealed he opted against bringing on his 37-year-old striker in order to protect the player's reputation.

"I wouldn't bring him in because we are 4-1 down," said the United manager. "Out of respect for Cristiano, for his big career."

Former Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane is unimpressed by the Ronaldo situation.

"I think United is showing disrespect to Ronaldo. He should have been let go before the transfer window (shut)," Keane told Sky Sports.

"The manager held on to him.OK, he said he wanted options. But you don't hold on to Ronaldo to sit on the bench. He is one of the greatest players ever.

"The big picture is that he (Ten Hag) is not going to play Ronaldo. It is just going to get uglier as the season goes on."

Ten Hag made no attempt to protect his other players, who were 4-0 down at halftime and trailing 6-1 before Martial's late double, with Phil Foden also hitting a hat-trick.

"The plan was to show bravery and confidence, but we didn't from the first minute," Ten Hag said. "We left Haaland and we were not tight.

"For the first goal we won the ball and could have created a great chance, but instead we gave it easily away and then it was like a pack of cards.

"I criticized them, I told them. Me as well, because I didn't get the message through. With this lack of confidence we cannot win games. I don't think this attitude is Manchester United, we can act much more brave.

"We are in the process and I knew before that big teams like City,when you are not good you get hammered and we were not good.We didn't follow the rules and principles of the way we play and you get hammered."

United fans began to leave at halftime to avoid witnessing further indignities after a traumatic first 45 minutes.

Foden struck after just eight minutes and then again on the stroke of the interval, with Haaland scoring twice in between.

Brazilian winger Antony scored a wonderful goal from distance after 56 minutes but City was soon back on top, with Haaland completing his treble and then setting up Foden to do likewise.

Martial's goals - the second coming from the penalty spot -made it the highest-ever scoring game between the rivals.

Guardiola, meanwhile, is running out of words to praise his unstoppable forward, who now has 17 goals in 11 games for City - and scored his third hat-trick in successive home league games.

"Of course, the quality we have alongside him helps him to score goals," Guardiola said. "But what he has done, I didn't teach him once.

"When the ball is right, and he attacks the box, how he moves behind the central defender away from the action, he has incredible instincts that the ball will arrive there and it comes from his mom and dad. He was born with that."

But Guardiola warned the Norway international that there is still improvements to be made to his game.

"He (Haaland) said: 'I prefer to touch the ball five times and score five goals.' I don't like that," said the City manager. "I want him to touch the ball more and more.

"So he became a football player to score goals. I like that he's more part of the situations, but don't forget his biggest talent is to put the ball in the net."

Haaland said he is relishing fitting into City's free-flowing, possession-based style.

"You can see the passes we give each other. We always want to go forward and to attack," Haaland told Sky Sports.

"It's what I love about the team.In the end, it's amazing. There is nothing more to say."

Rude awakening

Since also conceding four times inside the first 45 minutes at Brentford in August, United had bounced back with four consecutive league wins to offer hope it is heading in the right direction under Ten Hag.

But the Red Devils were given a rude awakening of the gulf that still exists between the Manchester giants.

"For me it was a surprise. We were not on the front foot, we were not brave on the ball and there were spaces to play but we were not brave enough," said Ten Hag.

"All the credit to City, but it's nothing to do with City. Our performance was not good. It had to do with the belief as individuals and as a team."

In contrast to the goalfest at the Etihad Stadium, it was scoreless at Elland Road where Leeds and Aston Villa played out a 0-0 draw.

Leeds was reduced to 10 men early in the second half when Colombian defender Luis Sinisterra was shown a second yellow card.

Agencies via Xinhua