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Brilliant Man Utd thump Man City as Michael Carrick enjoys perfect start - 5 talking points
Jan 17 2026 15:16 · By Daniel Marsh/Senior Sports Reporter · 33 Reads
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A second half one-two from Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu gave Michael Carrick the perfect start to his stint in the Manchester United hotseat as the Red Devils clinched a statement victory over City in the derby.
United started like a house on fire and should have taken the lead through Harry Maguire , who could only head against the crossbar from yards out after just three minutes. More chances came for both sides, including a disallowed goal for Amad, before Bruno Fernandes ' fine fun and composed finish was chalked off by the officials, the Portugal international offside by a toe.
Gianluigi Donnarumma produced a world-class double save minutes into the second half to thwart Amad and Casemiro in quick succession, but Mbeumo did find a way to beat the imperious Italian with a fine low strike just after the hour mark.
Dorgu, impressive again in a more attacking role, made the result safe in the 76th minute to clinch the bragging rights on for the red half of Manchester on a derby day they will remember for quite some time.
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A Manchester derby was billed as somewhat of a baptism of fire for Manchester United's new head coach, but it was the hosts who looked the most dangerous in the first half. Maguire's point-blank header ballooned back off the bar in the early minutes and there were further golden chances for Mbeumo and Amad before the latter and Bruno Fernandes both saw goals chalked off for VAR.
United had the better chances in both halves and were good value for their goal when it finally arrived courtesy of Mbeumo. Dorgu made it comfortable not long after to lift the roof from Old Trafford and was no less than United deserved.
This was a statement win for United and Carrick, who could hardly have dreamt of a better start. Nobody will be getting carried away off the back of one 90 minutes. But how United acquitted themselves against a City side many expect to go on and reclaim the Premier League title is definitely cause for optimism.
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Donnarumma arrived in the Premier League with a pristine reputation and he showed why he is one of the best goalkeepers in the world in the derby.
He kept United at bay in the first half and his double stop to keep out efforts from Amad and Casemiro after the break was pure quality.
City are light at the back and the impending addition of Marc Guehi will see their title odds shorten for good reason. It wasn't Donnarumma's day today, but the City keeper didn't deserve to end up on the losing side.
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As much as the first half was full of positives for United, they were fortunate to end it with 11 men following Diogo Dalot's poor challenge on Jeremy Doku.
The Portugal international's foot was high and reckless and left Doku in agony after going right across his knee. VAR deemed it only worthy of a yellow card - just like referee Anthony Taylor. But it should have been red and Dalot was incredibly fortunate not to walk.
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Ostracised by Ruben Amorim, it was no great surprise to see Mainoo back in from the start under Carrick given his dearth of minutes this term has sparked a mix of anger and confusion from fans.
His inclusion here would indicate that he is in line for a more significant role during the second half of the season. And on a day where United fans were given plenty to shout about, that's another big plus.
Arsenal must be sick of the sight of Manchester City . After denying them titles in successive years before Liverpool's triumph last year, Pep Guardiola's men have been on the charge in recent weeks again, applying the pressure on the league leaders.
But defeat in the derby means Arsenal open up a nine-point lead over City if they beat Nottingham Forest in their game, which would leave Guardiola and Co with a mountain to climb.
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