Manchester United kicked off their interim manager Michael Carrick era with a sensational 2-0 Manchester derby win against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City on Saturday 17 January. Second-half goals from Bryan Mbeum and Patrick Dorg were enough to secure the Red Devils a priceless win that keeps them in the top four of the competition. For City, the loss means Arsenal have the chance to go nine points clear at the top.
United went into the match with a little more energy that they lacked in the FA Cup defeat at home to Brighton last weekend, which took the season to 40 games. Constantly pressing and trying to force a mistake from the City players, they almost took the lead in the opening minutes when Harry Maguire headed in close range against the post.
City enjoyed most of the possession in the first half, but United looked the stronger of the two sides and had plenty of chances to take the lead. Dorgu almost broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute when a cross from Amado found him and his shot was saved by Donnarumma.
In the 33rd minute, the home side took the lead through Amade, who rounded the City keeper and fired the ball into the net, but the flag was raised for offside. City had a chance a few minutes later from a corner, but Senne Lammens and Dalot combined to clear the ball away.
United thought they had scored once more when Bruno Fernandes was able to break through and score a goal. This time it was less, but still offside.
THE CITY OF LEPELO clueless
Although they have been hit hard by injuries in defence, City’s frontline has left many wanting. Jeremy Doku’s ploy didn’t work, Phil Foden looked too off the pace and Erling Haaland looked like Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez just tied him down.
As the second half got underway, Ryan Cherki and Nico O’Reilly were forced to change things up and create more chances. City had seven shots, none of which were on target, while United got 10 away with seven on target.
It was United who started the brightest again when Dalot almost added a perfect assist but his ball was too hard for Fernandes and Dorga. The Red Devils continued to test Donnarumma, who was forced into a couple of saves and Casemiro was left wondering how he didn’t score in the end.
Mbeumo was installed as the main striker for the game, with Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko dropped to the bench. He scored a crucial first goal at Anfield earlier in the season and came forward again and Fernandes fed him with a superb ball to give Old Trafford the start with 25 minutes remaining.
City continued to push for an equalizer and that opened the door for another goal as Dorgu snuck in behind the City defense to convert.
United almost hit a third in stoppage time when substitute Mason Mount and Matheus Cunha combined only for the goal to be ruled out. But United managed to take all three points and send a strong message ahead of their trip to the Emirates to face Arsenal next week.
– The end
Published on:
January 17, 2026