The Michael Carrick era has begun emphatically at Old Trafford, as Manchester United earned a brilliant 2-0 derby victory against Pep Guardiola’s City.
Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu sealed the win with second-half strikes, in a game that saw the Reds hit the woodwork twice while having three goals disallowed.
Remember, this was a Manchester City side unbeaten in nine Premier League outings with aspirations of maintaining pressure on league-leading Arsenal.
But the visitors were second best throughout a fixture in which United created six big chances and dominated with a barrage of scintillating attacking football.
The result moves the 20-time kingpins into the Champions League places and has already generated conversations about the capabilities under the interim coach.
One swallow doesn’t make a summer, and we have witnessed many false dawns from this group. Still, Carrick couldn’t have asked for more effort and commitment to the badge on the grandest of stages.
The real Manchester United have stood up, and then some.
A new Old Trafford era began with Carrick leading United into the 198th Manchester derby, with aspirations of ending the day inside the top four.
The 44-year-old became the sixth United boss in the post-Fergie era to face Guardiola, perhaps emphasising the need for patience at M16.
Carrick called for determination during the midweek buildup, and Harry Maguire set the tone when he rattled the woodwork with a strong headed effort inside the opening three minutes.
His side enjoyed a promising opening quarter and will feel they should have capitalised on their dominance, as Jim Ratcliffe, Jason Wilcox, and Omar Berrada applauded their players.
Diogo Dalot received a yellow card for a late challenge during the opening exchanges. Despite the video official agreeing with the on-field decision, many of my colleagues opted to focus on what should have been a red.
Patrick Dorgu, installed as a left-sided winger, continued his impressive form and brought a fine save from Gianluigi Donnarumma midway through the half, nearly capping one of his side’s many free-flowing assaults.
But there was no let-up, and Amad had the ball in the net moments later, following an exquisite passage of interplay with Bruno Fernandes and Mbeumo. Agonisingly, his effort was ruled out due to a marginal offside.
Not to be outdone, Bruno replicated Amad in rounding Donnarumma and a helpless Abdukodir Khusanov before calmly slotting home, only for VAR to interject for a second offside ruling.
Erling Haaland’s frustration in attack epitomised the nature of the contest as the Norwegian struggled to have any impact in the game.
City may have enjoyed large spells of possession, but it was without any real meaningful intent, as Senne Lammens was more or less a spectator throughout.
Carrick opted to hold back on making any substitutions for the restart, retaining confidence in a starting XI without Matheus Cunha or the in-form Benjamin Sesko.
Expectedly, City upped their intensity from the outset, but the home side retained their confidence.
Despite an animated Guardiola willing his men forward, he had Donnarumma to thank for maintaining parity with a world-class double save early on.
First, the veteran Italian got down low to deny Amad a deserved goal, before extending himself to prevent Casemiro from slotting home the resulting deflection.
But he could do nothing to stop the inevitable shortly after the hour mark, with Old Trafford on their feet with arguably the finest performance of the season.
Mbeumo emphasised his class when putting the finishing touches on another sweeping transitional effort, masterminded by the ever-graceful Fernandes.
It was the Cameroon stars’ final significant contribution of the afternoon, making way for Cunha with 20 minutes to play amidst a symphony of noise.
The Brazilian played an integral role in United’s second, beating his man on the wing before delivering an inch-perfect cross for Dorgu to power home.
Carrick was ecstatic on the touchline, dancing to the tune of an adoring Theatre of Dreams. Surely he couldn’t have envisaged such a start?
Make no mistake, his side hammered their guests from pillar to post, typified by Haaland’s substitution during the final quarter.
Amad struck the post heading into stoppage time as City drove forward for a lifeline, before Mason Mount saw a third goal disallowed for offside within seconds of his introduction.
For however long it may last over the weekend, United have climbed into the top four ahead of what is now a tantalising trip to North London.
We may just have witnessed the finest Old Trafford display since Sir Alex Ferguson waved goodbye. Long may it continue!
Let us know your thoughts about a magnificent Manchester derby in the comments or across our social channels.
Photo by operations@newsimages.co.uk via depositphotos.com.
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