Manchester United kicked off a new chapter under Michael Carrick in emphatic fashion, defeating rivals Manchester City 2–0 in a pulsating Premier League derby at Old Trafford on Saturday.
In his first match as United’s new head coach, Carrick watched his side deliver a dominant performance, crowned by second-half goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu. The victory was made even sweeter by the fact that United had three goals ruled out for marginal offside calls, underlining how comprehensively they outplayed Pep Guardiola’s men.
The win marked United’s first three points of 2026 and served as revenge for the 3–0 defeat suffered at the Etihad Stadium earlier in the season.
Carrick made five changes to the side that featured against Brighton in the FA Cup, welcoming back Amad Diallo and Mbeumo following their Africa Cup of Nations duties. Harry Maguire returned to the starting XI for the first time since November after recovering from injury, while Luke Shaw and Casemiro were also recalled. Shea Lacey missed out due to suspension.
City, meanwhile, made three alterations from their Carabao Cup semi-final outing, with Gianluigi Donnarumma returning in goal. Antoine Semenyo was handed his Premier League debut following his move from Bournemouth.
Fast Start, Frustrating First Half
Played on the first anniversary of the passing of club legend Denis Law, the 198th Manchester derby lived up to its billing from the opening whistle. United began on the front foot, with Maguire striking the crossbar from close range inside three minutes.
United continued to push forward, testing Donnarumma through Kobbie Mainoo and Dorgu, while City’s best early chance fell to Bernardo Silva, who headed wide. The Reds thought they had taken the lead when Amad rounded the goalkeeper and finished neatly, only for the goal to be chalked off for a tight offside.
City enjoyed brief spells of possession, but United remained the more dangerous side. Bruno Fernandes also had a goal disallowed just before the break after being ruled fractionally offside, leaving the teams level despite United’s clear superiority.
The hosts resumed the second half with renewed intent, forcing City onto the back foot. Donnarumma was kept busy, denying Amad and Casemiro in quick succession, but the pressure finally told in the 65th minute.
Mbeumo, starting a swift counter-attack after a City set-piece, exchanged passes with Fernandes before calmly slotting home to ignite scenes of jubilation at Old Trafford. It was the winger’s eighth goal of the season and a perfect way to mark his return from AFCON duty.
United doubled their advantage 11 minutes later when substitute Matheus Cunha delivered a pinpoint cross from the right for Dorgu, who timed his run perfectly and guided the ball past Donnarumma for his second goal in a United shirt.
Although Mason Mount later saw a third goal ruled out after a lengthy VAR review, United never lost control. They defended resolutely, limited City’s chances, and comfortably saw out the closing stages.
At the final whistle, Carrick was serenaded by the Old Trafford crowd as United secured a deserved clean-sheet victory, derby bragging rights, and a dream start to life under their new manager.
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