Pep Guardiola stood at the centre of Manchester City’s unravelling derby day nightmare, offering a rare moment of brutal honesty: “I am not good enough. I have to find solutions.” It was an extraordinary admission from a manager synonymous with success but also a reflection of the deep cracks emerging at City.

Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester United encapsulated a side stripped of its former dominance. A Josko Gvardiol goal gave City the lead, but calamitous errors from Matheus Nunes and Ederson late in the game allowed United to stage a comeback that symbolised everything City are getting wrong this season: lapses in focus, lack of energy, and vulnerability under pressure.

This loss marked the first time a reigning Premier League champion has lost a game when leading as late as the 88th minute. For City fans, it was a harsh reminder of how far their side has fallen from the ruthless machine of recent years.

Guardiola’s side now sit nine points behind leaders Liverpool, with an extra game played, while their Champions League hopes teeter following a damaging defeat to Juventus. “Survival,” as Guardiola puts it, has replaced the club’s usual pursuit of excellence, but survival alone will not suffice for a team of City’s stature.

City’s struggles this season have exposed their overreliance on ageing players, a lack of creativity, and a softening mentality that once instilled fear into opponents. Kevin De Bruyne, at 34, is battling against time and injuries. Kyle Walker, also 34, is increasingly exposed in defence. Even Ilkay Gundogan, whose return from Barcelona was meant to add experience, now looks a shadow of his former self.

Meanwhile, reliable performers like Phil Foden and Jack Grealish have gone missing. Foden has managed just three goals all season, while Grealish has failed to score in a year for his club. Erling Haaland, City’s talisman, has scored just three times in 11 league games, a pale reflection of his usual prolific form.

Guardiola’s legendary precision and creativity have been replaced by frantic substitutions and tactical adjustments that fail to mask City’s deeper issues. Against United, Ederson’s poor positioning for the winner and Matheus Nunes’ defensive mistake were emblematic of a team struggling with focus and fundamentals.

This is not simply a dip in form but a seismic challenge for Guardiola. After years of dominance, City’s aura of invincibility has evaporated. Opponents now approach games against them with belief — and often leave with points.

The summer transfer window will be Guardiola’s biggest yet. A squad refresh is imperative, with youthful energy and sharp creativity desperately needed to reignite City’s title ambitions. However, rebuilding while Liverpool, Arsenal, and others are growing stronger will not be an easy task — even with City’s financial might.

Guardiola remains committed, but his frustration is palpable. This is uncharted territory for both the manager and the club. For the first time in his glittering career, Guardiola faces a truly daunting rebuild — one that will test whether he remains, as City fans’ banner declared, “More Than a Coach.”

For now, though, Manchester City are a team adrift, and Pep Guardiola must find solutions quickly.