Manchester City played out a drab nil-all draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford yesterday. The game failed to reach any great heights. A goalless draw was probably a fair result based on how the game unfolded. Manchester City’s incoming director of football, Hugo Viana, was spotted in the stands at Old Trafford yesterday. He got a first-hand glimpse of the size of the task that awaits him as City put in a disappointing display against Ruben Amorim’s side.
Hugo Viana alongside Txiki Begiristain watching the Manchester derby at Old Trafford. ❗️ pic.twitter.com/tN4jeqYpJs
— City Report (@cityreport_) April 6, 2025
Hugo Viana would have seen yesterday that Manchester City’s midfield is in desperate need of an overhaul. Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan, Mateo Kovacic and Bernardo Silva lined up in midfield. Although they all tried to give life to Manchester City’s performance they just aren’t capable of doing what they once could with ease. There was no threat to Manchester City’s play for the majority of yesterday’s match. Manchester City predominantly played in front of United’s packed defence. There was no threat to get in behind the United defence as the game unfolded from a City point of view. Creativity and life in midfield is surely the biggest area that Hugo Viana and company will focus on in the summer transfer window.
As the game reached it’s closing stages Manchester City simply ran out of legs. That’s the legacy of Pep Guardiola having an ageing squad. All over the pitch City are screaming out for an injection of energy. Whether that’s in midfield or at the full-back positions or up front. Hugo Viana also saw that first-hand at Old Trafford yesterday.
Summary.
But what Hugo Viana got a glimpse of yesterday was the size of the task in front of him this summer. Manchester City are in need of a sizable rebuild. One or two players won’t regenerate Pep Guardiola’s squad. A host of players will have to leave the club and their replacements must be identified and signed quickly. There is no doubt that Hugo Viana already knew the size of the rebuild that is needed at Manchester City. But what he saw yesterday at Old Trafford would’ve just reaffirmed this. It was tough viewing at times and Viana has now seen on the pitch that Manchester City need to be busy and ruthless in the summer to quickly return to the summit of English football.