Former Arsenal manager criticised two Manchester United stars for exposing team-mates in derby humiliation

Arsene Wenger has criticised Manchester United’s first-half performance in their heavy 6-3 defeat to Manchester City in Sunday’s derby, pointing the finger at two players in particular.

The Red Devils conceded four first-half goals before Phil Foden and Erling Haaland completed their hat-trick in the second half, although the visitors never gave up and scored three goals.

Wenger felt the game was won on the flanks, and criticised Antony and Jadon Sancho for not doing more to help their backs, who were often exposed.

‘What I find incredible in the first half is that Manchester United defended so badly down the flanks,’ the former Arsenal manager told beIN Sports.

Diogo Dalot was shown a yellow card in the first minute and Sancho and Antony did not contribute defensively.

Throughout the game, they were outnumbered on the flanks and were always in trouble.

Afterwards, when they had the ball, I thought they were too stubborn to respect the game plan.

They always wanted to go forward too quickly and lost too many balls and did not have enough possession.

They didn’t play for possession, they wanted to counter-attack.

Wenger pointed out that Raphael Varane, United’s greatest defender, was not on the pitch when Haaland scored City’s second goal, which opened the door.

The Frenchman was injured after appearing to twist his ankle and was not allowed back on the pitch until the home side won their corner, leaving Christian Eriksen to try and mark Haaland, which did not end well.

Wenger explained: ‘The only positive I have to give them is that they conceded the second goal when Varane was [off the pitch]. And when I saw that Eriksen was scoring Haaland, we were worried about Manchester United.”