VAR fury, Man U’s tactical puzzle and the week four verdict

MANCHESTER are blue!

Even after playing more than 60 minutes with 10 men, Manchester City had a controversial goal awarded and left Old Trafford with all three points.

An inquiry should be launched into the VAR team that awarded the goal, but an inquest should also be conducted into Michael Carrick’s squad for failing to take the game by the scruff of the neck with a one-man advantage.

At times, City were the better team and had a system to play with a man down, while United looked clueless about what to do when going a man up.​

A good manager prepares certain tactics for the ideal game scenario, but a great manager knows how to adapt when playing with a one-man advantage.

The ball must move faster, with less dribbling, more exploitation of the space left behind, yet United looked completely lost.​

Benjamin Sesko only came on after City scored, and when he did, the service to the striker dried up entirely.

Baffling from Carrick, who was tactically astute as interim manager, yet all of that appears to have vanished since the job became permanent.

The only United player who could leave Old Trafford with any credit was Kobbie Mainoo.

A local boy, Mainoo understood what the Manchester derby meant to him, but that meaning was lost on his teammates.​

City have now won all four of their opening games — level on points with Arsenal at the top.

Many expected bumps along the road in the transition from Pep Guardiola to Enzo Maresca, yet the transition has been remarkably smooth.

Elliott Anderson showed the watching public that he is worth every penny City spent on him. A proper player, Elliot outplayed the United midfielders comprehensively.​

Many thought there would be a drop-off from City this season, but the Citizens would not go away easily.

Fortunately for Arteta, he now has the squad to defend the title and compete with the best in Europe.

Even after a difficult start against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, it took just 121 seconds of madness for the Gunners to win.

David Raya saved a brilliant penalty, Bruno Guimaraes scored a banger to give Arsenal the lead, and Bukayo Saka secured all three points with a late goal.

Arsenal love scoring a banger at the Stadium of Light, and the trend continues.​

Arsenal look good at the back once again, and the squad have tremendous depth. Even with William Saliba injured, Cristian Mosquera came in to cover.

Now that Mosquera is injured, Ezri Konsa is next in line. Arsenal’s depth is unprecedented and could see them challenge on all fronts this season.

Arteta knows that defence wins championships and that position is well stacked in his squad.​

Chelsea must address their defensive frailties after the Hull City Tigers left Stamford Bridge with a point.

Many thought Morgan Rogers’ early goal would open the floodgates, but they were wrong.

Hull bucked the trend, led at half-time, before Joao Pedro scored the equaliser. Hull are no pushovers and other teams would do well to take note.

Xabi Alonso needs to work on the defensive structure at training because all those goals will count for nothing if Chelsea keep conceding.

Being entertaining will not win you titles. Just ask the late Kevin Keegan and his famous Newcastle squad.

Tottenham Hotspur have made progress defensively as they are now two games without conceding.

The problem for Roberto De Zerbi is up front, as it is now four games without a goal, even after spending millions on forwards in the summer.

That makes two consecutive draws. Perhaps De Zerbi wants to ensure defensive solidity before fixing the attack.

The Spurs faithful could only hope so.​

Four games in and the top two are separating themselves from the rest.

If both Arsenal and City can sustain this form, only their games could prove to be the difference-maker.

Many teams are still finding their style and form, and hopefully can be in the race as the weeks progress.

With European football back in the fold, fatigue could play a role and squad depth could be the difference-maker for many.