There was a moment after half an hour of Manchester City’s undressing of Manchester United that encapsulated the sense of helplessness felt in the stomachs of those who consider Old Trafford home.



In a desire to “beat the press”, as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had instructed, David de Gea sought to take a quick goal kick following a Raheem Sterling cross. He passed to Victor Lindelof inside the box but, with Sterling closing quickly, the defender ceded possession back to his goalkeeper.



De Gea, also hurried by Kevin De Bruyne, abandoned the policy and launched the ball high, without aim, into the middle of the pitch. Nicolas Otamendi easily beat Mason Greenwood in the air and, though Fred won a free-kick from the second ball, the impression left on those watching was profound. We were witnessing panic.



The Sky Sports cameras did not show this particular few seconds of action, instead cutting to Mark Hughes in the directors’ box, but his...