McCarthy believes his side were powerless to prevent a defeat on Saturday as United were looking to bounce back from their Champions League exit.
“They’ve still got very, very good players despite the so-called demise that the media have been desperate to get a story out of this week,” he told Sky Sports.
“Manchester United were better than us. We both played four-four-two and, unfortunately for me, they were better at it than we were.
“I don’t look at Manchester United in a different way,” he added. “I can’t remember when Manchester United, at Old Trafford, was an easy task.
“All the hype and talk about their demise is nonsense. They have had a tough couple of results. They have been knocked out of the Champions League.
“But they will get back again because they have got really good players and a whole load of young players, who are developing.”
