Manchester United stun Man City 2-0 in Michael Carrick’s first game in charge

Michael Carrick got off to a flying start as head coach of Manchester United on Saturday with a 2-0 win against Manchester City in the Premier League.

Carrick took charge of his first game since his appointment this week and immediately ended the gloom at Old Trafford with a win that is likely to live long in the memories of United fans.

The former United midfielder has only signed a contract until the end of the season and has 17 games to convince the club’s hierarchy to give him the job on a permanent basis after Ruben Amorim was sacked last week. And he couldn’t have made a better first impression with a dominant performance against all-conquering City manager Pep Guardiola in the 198th Manchester derby.

Second-half goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu sealed the win, with United fans singing at the top of their voices and drowning out their fierce city rivals.

HIGHLIGHTS – Manchester derby

And the victory could have been even more emphatic, with United hitting the frame of the goal twice, forcing a series of saves from City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and having three goals disallowed for offside.

Not only did the victory give United local bragging rights and boost the team’s chances of qualifying for the Champions League, but it also dealt another blow to City’s title challenge.

United dominated the chances before and after the break. Harry Maguire headed against the crossbar within three minutes and United saw two goals disallowed by VAR before halftime for offside.

In the second half, Donnarumma denied Amad Diallo, Casemiro and Mbeumo before the deadlock was finally broken in the 65th minute.

It came from another quick United attack with Bruno Fernandes leading the break after a City free-kick came to nothing.

Fernandes raced into the city half and slid a pass into Mbeumo’s tread and the Cameroonian striker unleashed a low left-footed shot into the far corner for the first time.

Old Trafford erupted with chants of “United!” It was the least Carrick’s team deserved after a performance full of attacking intent.

Dorgu doubled the lead in the 76th, converting from close range after beating Rico Lewis and replacing Matheus Cunha’s cross.

Amad then hit the post as United looked to take the advantage and there was still time for another substitute, Mason Mount, to find the back of the net with his first touch in the 89th, but this was ruled offside.

At that point it didn’t matter much. The day belonged to United and Carrick, who congratulated his players with a beaming smile on his face after the final whistle.

Watching in the stands were top manager Alex Ferguson, whose smile was as wide as anyone else’s at Old Trafford.

Published on January 17, 2026