For Michael Carrick, Saturday couldn’t have gone better.
In his first match as Manchester United head coach, the Red Devils toppled Manchester City 2-0 in the 198th derby, thanks to goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu.
While United could have had an even bigger margin—Amad Diallo, Bruno Fernandes, and Mason Mount all saw goals disallowed, and Harry Maguire and Diallo hit the woodwork—the win was emphatic.
Even Pep Guardiola didn’t dispute United’s dominance, though he questioned the decision to not upgrade Diogo Dalot’s early yellow card to a red.
For now, though, Carrick and his coaching team were the headline makers.
Finding the United Way
Skeptics questioned United’s decision to appoint Carrick through the end of the season, especially given the daunting fixtures against City and Arsenal.
But those doubts overlooked Carrick’s previous ability to handle big games.
Back in November 2021, when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked, Carrick stepped in as caretaker coach.
He oversaw a 2-0 Champions League win at Villarreal, a 1-1 draw with Chelsea, and a 3-2 home win over Arsenal.
Now, after more than four years away from coaching at the helm, Carrick seems ready to pick up where he left off.
Pressing, Energy, and Team Spirit
Against City, United played with energy, pace, and aggression.
They pressed effectively, closed down space, and defended in numbers.
Gianluigi Donnarumma had little to do, while Senne Lammens, City’s goalkeeper, looked under siege.
Carrick stuck to a 4-2-3-1 system, reintroducing Harry Maguire for experience, while Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo formed a protective midfield shield.
Up front, Bryan Mbeumo spearheaded counter-attacks, with the wingers and full-backs working tirelessly to maintain shape and pressure.
Wayne Rooney praised the collective effort: “Work-rate off the ball, wingers helping full-backs, the shape, the desire to get back and double up… everything about that team was fantastic.”
Harnessing the Magic of Old Trafford
Carrick urged players to use the Old Trafford crowd to their advantage.
Lisandro Martinez reflected, “When we are together like this, it is impossible to lose at home.”
After months of inconsistent results, the stadium felt alive once again with the energy of a united team.
Returning Stars Make the Difference
Carrick benefitted from the return of Mbeumo and Diallo from the Africa Cup of Nations.
Both were exceptional. Carrick’s decision to play Mbeumo through the middle instead of Benjamin Sesko added pace to the attack, and the Cameroon international opened the scoring with a composed finish.
Diallo gave Nathan Ake a torrid time, and despite a goal ruled out and a later strike hitting the woodwork, his impact was undeniable.
Patrick Dorgu also flourished after being chosen over Matheus Cunha, scoring United’s second goal and showcasing the squad depth.
Maguire and Martinez Anchor the Defense
Maguire’s return was a calculated risk, given his limited minutes since November.
But his experience proved vital against City’s Erling Haaland.
Alongside Lisandro Martinez, he provided a solid defensive foundation.
Haaland, often unstoppable, was largely muted, with Maguire blocking attacks and Martinez making crucial interventions.
Dalot and Luke Shaw also performed admirably despite early bookings, adapting seamlessly to City’s positional changes.
Midfield Stability Restored
Recent seasons have seen United’s midfield exposed under various managers.
Carrick’s approach was pragmatic: Bruno Fernandes returned to a more advanced playmaker role, while Kobbie Mainoo started alongside Casemiro, creating a balanced defensive shield.
Carrick highlighted Mainoo’s talent, noting, “He has played in some unbelievable big occasions and coped with it as well.
I am looking forward to seeing him thrive.”
The midfield combination allowed United to control transitions and limit City’s attacking threat.
A Cautious Optimism
While Saturday’s win over City is a statement, Carrick and United face more complex tests ahead.
Historically, the team has excelled on counter-attacks against elite clubs, but unlocking deep-lying defenses remains a challenge.
Upcoming matches against Arsenal and other mid-table teams will prove whether this result is a turning point or just another fleeting high.
For now, though, beating City at Old Trafford was the perfect way to kick off Michael Carrick’s reign.
What Comes Next
Manchester United must now maintain focus.
Can Carrick build on this momentum against Arsenal at the Emirates? Can his tactical tweaks and player management restore consistency? The derby win provides hope, but the season ahead will test whether this feels like a genuine revival or a rare glimpse of what might be.
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