On the face of it, this wasn't much different to our last visit here, when seven of today's starting lineup were also beaten by a five goal margin. 

But whereas we were behind within 90 seconds of the first whistle to a Sergio Aguero goal back in February, this time round things were radically different - at least until the 42nd minute.

A first half display that exceeded the opening period against Chelsea in confidence and competence brought the reward of Aleksandar Mitrovic's first goal for the club. And incredibly, only a linesman's flag and the right boot of Joe Hart prevented the Serb from completing an eight minute hat trick. 

Reality sadly intervened just before the break when Aguero levelled, but United were still applauded off by an upbeat following pleasantly surprised by what they'd just witnessed. Winning here in the League Cup a year ago was the sort of thing that happens once in a blue moon, but a third successive league loss for City certainly wasn't out of the question, even at 1-1. 

What followed in the second half from Steve McClaren's side though was a capitulation that was both spectacular and distressing. Three more goals in a five minute spell turned the game on its head and two more soon after raised thoughts that our record defeat (0-9 in 1895) was in danger.

Thankfully, City boss Manuel Pellegrini took pity on us and substituted Aguero within five minutes of him grabbing his fifth and his side's sixth. Home and away fans applauded as he departed, having missed out the chance to become the first Premier League player to notch a double hat trick (it later emerged that Aguero had been less than 100% fit after being kicked in midweek). 

The arrival of a semi-fit Wilfried Bony meant that the punishment thankfully stopped at six, but the damage to hearts and heads had already been done. If we were collectively in a delicate condition before, then the club medical staff may now be diagnosing post-traumatic stress disorder in addition to strained groins..... 

Whatever defensive solidity we'd shown in the first half had melted away during the interval, with injury concerns on both flanks hardly helping. Daryl Janmaat had needed treatment before the sides changed ends and Kevin Mbabu (making only his second senior start) pulled a hamstring at 1-3. 

Mbabu's replacement Jamaal Lascelles may have hoped for a less traumatic introduction to life in the Premier League, but the real disconnect came in the central defence as Fabricio Coloccini and Chancel Mbemba became perfect strangers - not aided by the yawning chasm in front of them where midfield should have been. 

Injury to Jack Colback and Cheick Tiote's lack of match fitness resulted in the baffling selection of Yoan Gouffran in a central role and he was predictably pedestrian, while Moussa Sissoko seemingly stayed in the dressing room for the second time. Sadly his heart isn't as big as his mouth - the only way he'll end up appearing in the Champions League is if he becomes one of those extra officials. 

This game of two halves ranks alongside the six second half goals conceded at Old Trafford in 2008, when Nigel Pearson was briefly in charge following Sam Allardyce's departure. That trauma at least came with the prospect of an imminent new start under a new manager - we'll doubtless have to endure more McClaren rhetoric, although that line in the sand is now starting to look like a trench.

Two more weeks at the bottom of the table before our next game is bad enough, but the Sunday TV visit of Norwich opens up the prospect of starting that game eight points from safety - and like Watford, the Canaries are no mugs with points taken from both Anfield and Upton Park so far.

Defeat here today was expected and the margin of that loss hardly a shock. It's the damage done by the second half horror show though that threatens to overshadow what comes next, in games against sides less talented than City but more organised and spirited than our motley crew.

For every set piece routine or defensive drill, the motivational tactics used to instill belief and responsibility in in the squad are now as important - but if the players don't respond to the flip charts, mantras and mottos, then what chance have we got? Self-respect is in short supply.   

The abiding memory of today was seeing the side disintegrate with barely a whimper and no hint of gamesmanship or leadership. Nobody took a tumble to break up play as it started to rain goals and allow for some much-needed regrouping, nobody ranted. We just seemed resigned to our fate.

By contrast at 0-1 down, an incident in our own half saw Joe Hart sprint upfield to harangue the referee - trying to make something happen for his side, irritating but committed. We could do with some of what he's got, and I don't mean shampoo.