On the day Bernardo entered City’s all-time top 10 appearance makers with 437 outings, it was the hosts who had two goals disallowed in the first 45 minutes, as both Amad Diallo and Bruno Fernandes were denied by the offside flag.
After the break, goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu did the damage, with a late Mason Mount effort also chalked off for offside as City’s impressive 13-match unbeaten run was halted at Old Trafford.
“They deserved to win today,” said captain Bernardo after the game.
“They had more energy and intention. It always felt like they were close to score and we were never there. We gave them what they want. They took the game to where they are good and we are not so good.
“Since I arrived here in England we have always been a very controlled team. There was a lot of things missing from us. Definitely a bad day for us.
“After a day like today, I don’t think we have any excuses. It was a really bad performance from us.”
The defeat left table-toppers Arsenal, who visit Nottingham Forest later on Saturday, remain six points clear at the top.
Despite the setback, Bernardo vowed that the team will continue to dig deep and fight for every point until the end of the season.
“It is a big gap, we won’t lie and say it isn’t a big gap it is.
“We will fight until the end.”
