The Manchester derby turned to a one-sided contest, as Man United suffered 3-1 defeat to neighbour Man City in Carabao Cup semi final first leg.
And Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admitted that United performance in the first half is the worst he have seen this season.
It is as worst as it can be, as United conceded three goals in just 20 minutes in the first half.
Man City lead in the 17th minute through Bernardo Silva, with Riyad Mahrez adding the second in 33rd minute and Andreas Pereira suffered an embarrassing moment as he scored an own goal in the 38th minute.
United only consolation goal came from Marcus Rashford in 70th minute.
“From 15 minutes to half-time was the worst we have played this season,” Solskjaer said to BBC.
“We couldn’t cope with the setback. Now we have a steep mountain to climb.”
“I have said before, it is not a quick fix. It is something that we have started and you can see we are still a way off but it is something that needed doing.”
That was United’s third in their last six games, after defeats to Premier League losses at Watford and Arsenal.
Before they go to City for the second leg on 29 January, United will play Wolves in their FA Cup 3rd replay on 15 January and meet Premier League leaders Liverpool four days later.
In contrast, City have now won eight games out of nine, yet Pep Guardiola feels they have yet to win the game over United.
It’s not three points and its not done.
“They are a dangerous team. Last season they lost by the same number of goals at home to PSG, went to France and qualified.”