Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton has claimed that Manchester City "require significant surgery" should they aim to challenge for the league title next season.
City lie 25 points behind runaway leaders Liverpool following the Citizens' 2-0 loss to Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Pep Guardiola's side were criticised for the manner of United's goals in the derby defeat, and Sutton believes that the current league champions need strong changes in order to get back to their high standards.
Writing for the Daily Mail, Sutton said: "They just don't have the same base at the back [as Liverpool ], while Ederson was so careless.
"Despite their extensive spending, City's defence requires significant surgery. That is now seven defeats in 28 games in what has been an abysmal title defence, and it is little wonder Guardiola looked so annoyed in his post-match interviews.
"City dominated the ball against United but did distinctly little with it. This was a deserved defeat for the reigning champions."
Guardiola's side remain in the hunt for Champions League glory as they welcome Real Madrid to the Etihad next Tuesday, having taken a 2-1 lead from the first leg of their last-16 tie at the Bernabeu.
Ben Knapton
