Till GW 7, both clubs were joint level on points in the table. Since then, United have picked up just a single win in four PL games.
Heading into GW 12, Man United are 8 points behind their noisy neighbors. Although they still sit in 2nd place, they are level on points with Tottenham and are just one point ahead of Chelsea.
One of the possible reasons would be the injury concerns to first-team players Paul Pogba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marcos Rojo.
One of the possible reasons would be the injury concerns to first-team players Paul Pogba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marcos Rojo.
In their past four games [1-Home, 3-Away], United failed their test on the road picking up just 1 point, and a total of 4 points from the available 12. So, where did it all go wrong?
GW 8
In their first major test, United played out a goalless draw against rivals Liverpool as manager Jose Mourinho avoided defeat but yet again failed to win against a top-six side.
The draw was entertaining as Liverpool's free-flowing attack challenged United's resilient defensive unit.
United goalkeeper David De Gea made a handful of important saves in the game; the best save coming when he denied Joel Matip's close-range effort via his foot.
With only one effort on target, Jose Mourinho may have got the result he came for but it opened a 2 point gap between the Manchester rivals.
GW 9
The following week, United suffered their first defeat of the season and an unexpected one at newly promoted Huddersfield Town. It came as a shock to the whole footballing world, especially bringing huge implications to the title race.
United was second best to Huddersfield for the entire game and their players Aaron Mooy & Laurent Depoitre took their chances superbly.
Both goals were individual mistakes; the first by Juan Mata and the other by substitute Victor Lindelof. Since then, neither player has featured in the league.
Marcus Rashford restored some hope, coming off the bench to score only what proved to be a late consolation. This result further stretched City's lead to 5 points at the top.
Marcus Rashford restored some hope, coming off the bench to score only what proved to be a late consolation. This result further stretched City's lead to 5 points at the top.
GW 10
Manager Jose Mourinho assembled his squad and implied his tactics effectively as substitute Anthony Martial latched onto Romelu Lukaku's flick in the 81st minute to score the crucial winner.
United finally earned their first victory in 3 games after they beat Tottenham 1-0 at home which also maintained their 100 percent home record this season.
Manager Jose Mourinho assembled his squad and implied his tactics effectively as substitute Anthony Martial latched onto Romelu Lukaku's flick in the 81st minute to score the crucial winner.
Tottenham, without their main striker Harry Kane, struggled for major part of the game but could have led had Dele Alli not miss his close-range effort.
United also kept their 7th clean sheet of the season [5 Home, 2 Away] with no goals conceded at home so far.
GW 11
Jose Mourinho's return to his former side Chelsea didn't go as per plan as the Red Devils suffered their 2nd loss in their last 3 PL games.
Phil Jones turned the ball into his own net early on in the game only to be ruled out after he was pushed in the box.
Alvaro Morata scored the decisive goal in the 2nd half which moved Chelsea within a point of Man United in the table.
United had late chances and a threat in substitute Marouane Fellaini but he failed to find the net. Marcus Rashford also came close with a free-kick which was overshot.
Even at this early stage, United's loss has opened up an 8 point gap between leaders Man City and Tottenham have come level on points with United.
Man United will look to bounce back from this defeat with a decent run of fixtures coming up. They welcome an in-form Newcastle United side.
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