England cricketer mocks Guardiola after Man City lose the derby to Manchester United

The Manchester derby has always been more than just a football match. It is never calm, never quiet, and never ordinary. It is a game that brings out emotions not only from players and managers, but from fans, former players, rivals, and even people from completely different sports. When Manchester United and Manchester City meet, the noise travels far beyond the pitch. That was exactly what happened again after Manchester City were beaten 2-0 by Manchester United at Old Trafford, a result that sent shockwaves through the Premier League title race and sparked reactions from unexpected places.

Manchester City arrived at Old Trafford knowing the importance of the game. Arsenal were leading the Premier League, and every point mattered. Pep Guardiola’s team needed a win to keep pressure on the league leaders and to remind everyone that they were still a dominant force. Instead, they walked away with another painful defeat, their first Manchester derby loss of 2026, and a performance that raised serious questions about their direction, confidence, and hunger.

Manchester United, on the other hand, came into the match under new leadership. Michael Carrick had just taken over as interim manager, and many fans were unsure what to expect. United had struggled for consistency, and their recent run of results had left them drifting away from the top four. But football often produces its biggest surprises when expectations are lowest, and Carrick’s United delivered a performance full of discipline, intensity, and belief.

From the opening minutes, it was clear that United were not afraid of City. Harry Maguire set the tone early, rising high to meet a corner and sending a powerful header crashing against the woodwork. Old Trafford erupted. It felt like a signal to everyone inside the stadium that this was going to be United’s day. City looked rattled, unsure, and slower than usual.

As the first half progressed, United grew stronger. Amad Diallo and Bruno Fernandes both found the back of the net, only for their efforts to be ruled out for offside. Even those disallowed goals mattered because they showed City that United were capable of breaking through. Manchester City, usually so comfortable on the ball, struggled to impose themselves. They managed only one shot on target before half-time, a statistic that shocked many watching.

Erling Haaland, normally the biggest threat in any City attack, was kept quiet. United’s defenders stayed close to him, cutting off his space and forcing him away from dangerous areas. Every touch was contested, every run tracked. Haaland’s frustration was visible, and with each missed opportunity, the confidence drained further from City’s performance.

When the second half began, United came out with even more purpose. They pressed higher, moved the ball quicker, and played with a belief that had been missing for much of the season. City tried to respond, but their passes lacked sharpness, and their movement looked predictable. Pep Guardiola paced the touchline, shouting instructions, but nothing seemed to change.

The breakthrough finally came in the 65th minute. Bruno Fernandes, wearing the captain’s armband, showed his quality and leadership. Spotting Bryan Mbeumo’s run, he delivered a perfectly weighted pass that allowed the winger to score on his return from AFCON duty. The goal sent Old Trafford into absolute chaos. United fans could feel that something special was happening.

Manchester City tried to respond, but instead of growing stronger, they looked even more shaken. Their attempts to push forward left spaces at the back, and United were ready to exploit them. Just eleven minutes later, Patrick Dorgu doubled United’s lead. Matheus Cunha slipped a clever pass into the box, and Dorgu finished calmly, making it 2-0 and effectively sealing the match.

There was even a moment late in the game when Mason Mount thought he had added a third goal. He celebrated wildly, but VAR ruled the effort offside, denying United an even more emphatic scoreline. Still, it did not matter. The job was already done. Manchester City were beaten, outplayed, and out-thought.

The final statistics told a brutal story. United finished the match with an expected goals total of 2.03 compared to City’s 0.45. This was not a lucky win. It was a deserved one. City had been stifled, neutralised, and exposed. When the final whistle blew, United players celebrated with their fans, while City players walked off the pitch in silence.

The result lifted Manchester United into fourth place in the Premier League table, momentarily above Liverpool on goal difference. For a club that had been struggling for form and confidence, it felt like a turning point. For Manchester City, it felt like another warning sign in a season that has not gone to plan.

As expected, reactions came quickly. Fans argued online, pundits debated Guardiola’s tactics, and former players shared their opinions. But one reaction stood out more than most, not because it came from the football world, but because it came from cricket.

England cricket star Samuel Billings decided to have his say, and he did not hold back. Taking to social media platform X, Billings mocked Pep Guardiola and Manchester City in a post that quickly went viral. His message was short, direct, and dripping with sarcasm. “Hahahaha… Pep go sign another 10 players,” he wrote, adding several laughing emojis to drive the point home.

The comment immediately sparked debate. Some fans found it funny, seeing it as harmless banter after a big derby defeat. Others felt it was disrespectful, especially coming from someone outside football. But regardless of opinion, the message hit a nerve, because it touched on a long-running criticism of Guardiola and Manchester City.

For years, rival fans have accused Guardiola of relying too heavily on expensive transfers to fix problems. Whenever City struggle, the joke is always the same. Just buy more players. Billings’ comment played directly into that narrative, suggesting that Guardiola’s response to defeat would be to ask for even more signings.

The timing of the comment made it even more interesting. Manchester City have been active in the transfer market once again. Earlier this month, they completed the signing of Antoine Semenyo, and the Ghanaian forward made his Premier League debut in the derby. Semenyo had impressed in cup competitions, scoring in his first two appearances for the club, but he could not replicate that form in the league match at Old Trafford.

City are also close to completing a deal for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi. The defender is expected to strengthen a backline that has been weakened by injuries to key players like Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol. In addition, City have been linked with a move for 18-year-old Barcelona prodigy Dro Fernandez, who is reportedly keen to leave the Nou Camp in search of regular football.

All of this made Billings’ comment feel even more pointed. To some, it sounded like a reminder that even with new signings, City are not guaranteed success. Football is not just about money. It is about balance, hunger, chemistry, and desire.

Pep Guardiola, for his part, did not respond publicly to the mockery. The City manager is no stranger to criticism, and he has often spoken about how pressure and expectation come with the job. Still, defeats like this one make the noise louder. When City win, Guardiola is praised as a genius. When they lose, the questions return quickly.

This season has been especially challenging. City have not looked as dominant as before. Teams have learned how to play against them, how to limit their strengths, and how to frustrate their key players. Erling Haaland, once unstoppable, has gone through spells without goals. The midfield has looked tired at times. The defence has suffered from injuries and inconsistency.

Meanwhile, rivals like Arsenal and Manchester United have grown stronger, more organised, and more confident. The Premier League has become less forgiving. There are no easy games, and even small mistakes are punished.

For Manchester United, the derby win felt like a statement. It showed that they are still capable of rising to big occasions. It gave Michael Carrick the perfect start to his interim reign and restored belief among the fans. The players responded to his instructions with energy and discipline, and the result reflected that.

For Manchester City, the loss was another reminder that dominance cannot last forever without renewal. Guardiola has rebuilt teams before, and many believe he can do it again. But the pressure is growing, and patience is thinning among some supporters.

Samuel Billings’ comment may have been meant as a joke, but it captured a mood among rival fans. The idea that City’s success is tied too closely to spending has followed the club for years. Whether fair or not, it is a narrative that resurfaces whenever they stumble.

As the season continues, Manchester City will have chances to respond. The title race is not over. The Champions League remains a major target. Guardiola and his players know what it takes to bounce back. But they also know that performances like the one at Old Trafford cannot continue.

Football has a way of humbling even the greatest teams. One day you are untouchable, the next you are being mocked by a cricketer on social media. That is the beauty and cruelty of the game.

The Manchester derby once again proved its power. It created heroes, sparked debates, and reminded everyone that no matter how much success you have enjoyed, nothing is guaranteed. For Manchester United, it was a day of pride and progress. For Manchester City, it was a day of reflection and criticism.

And for Pep Guardiola, it was another moment where the spotlight burned bright, the jokes grew louder, and the challenge of staying on top became even harder.