Get Guardian on GoogleManchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said his side hit a season low point in the Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg loss to Manchester City.
The hosts were 3-0 down at the break, going on to lose 3-1, with Solskjaer saying his players’ heads dropped after Bernardo Silva’s 17th-minute opener.
“From 15 minutes to half-time was the worst we have played this season,” said the United boss after Tuesday’s game.
“We couldn’t cope with the setback. Now we have a steep mountain to climb.”
Riyad Mahrez’s 33rd-minute second was followed by an Andreas Pereira own goal, and at half-time it seemed possible a completely outclassed United faced a repeat of their embarrassing 6-1 home defeat by City in 2011.
Instead, the introduction of Nemanja Matic for Jesse Lingard brought some stability to their midfield, and Marcus Rashford’s fourth goal in Manchester derbies added at least some jeopardy over who will go on to meet Leicester City or Aston Villa in the final on 29 February.
United famously overturned a two-goal deficit last season to reach the Champions League quarter-finals, following up a 2-0 first-leg loss to Paris St-Germain by winning 3-1 in France and progressing on away goals.
“It’s not three points and it’s not done,” said Manchester City boss Guardiola.
“They are a dangerous team. Last season they lost by the same number of goals at home to PSG, went to France and qualified.”
The defeat was United’s third in their past six games, following Premier League losses at Watford and Arsenal.
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