Manchester United midfielder Casemiro has urged the club’s new minority owners to follow in the footsteps of Manchester City. The Brazilian commented after United suffered a 3-1 loss against City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

After Marcus Rashford scored the opening goal for the Red Devils, Phil Foden scored a brace and Erling Haaland added a late goal to give a thumping win of 3-1 to the hosts.

Meanwhile, it was the first Manchester derby since Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Old Trafford stake was confirmed. Manchester United has had a glorious history but City is currently one of the best teams in the Premier League.

Casemiro told ESPN Brasil: “That is the big objective, we also have to be humble to accept that they are at the moment, not in history, as the history of Manchester United speaks for itself, but they are today the team to beat. Everyone wants to beat City.

“We have a mirror here, which is City, and they have been doing a great job.”

Meanwhile, Ratcliffe, chairman and CEO of chemical company INEOS, has promised to knock City off their perch within three years.

In the last decade, City has won six titles in the Premier League whereas United has managed none.

“Of course, when people from outside arrive, who want to add and evolve the club’s level, it is always important,” Casemiro said.

“It is very clear that the company [INEOS] and the new owners want to do this. I hope that they [new owners] arrive and grow together with us, as it is important for the club to have people who want to grow here.”

Manchester City took 27 shots on goal whereas United could only manage three but Erik Ten Hag feels there isn’t a big gulf between the two teams.

“No, I don’t think so, absolutely not,” the United manager said.

“You can see we have many problems with injuries and still we had an opportunity. Really small margins and we could have scored the second goal in a debatable moment.

“It’s not that big [a gap] and when we have everyone on board we can be competitive. I think also we showed in the cup final against them when it was really close but City, is in this moment, the best team in the world. Don’t forget this. We were really close to winning or at least get a point here.”

Manchester United will next take on Everton on Saturday at Old Trafford.