In a derby filled with legacy and weighty stakes, Manchester United served a seismic blow to Manchester City’s title ambitions under the guidance of interim manager Michael Carrick, who took the charge after the departure of Ruben Amorim. United produced a performance that was as disciplined, dominative and a statement performance of quality and determination as it was opportunistic, executing Carrick’s game plan to perfection.
Manchester United controlled the game entirely with a different tactical approach by the new interim coach Michael Carrick who introduced Kobbie Maino into the team giving him his first start of the season which he proved his quality and giving a huge hit at Amorim’s decision making. City failed to give competition to a superior United who could have taken early leads in the first half. United also remained compact in their defensive structure which made progress difficult for the visitors. There was also a new role different from what we had always seen from Bruno Fernandes who was involved in more of the attacking play behind Mbeumo who led the line. He also scored a beautiful goal which was slightly ruled offside.
The breakthrough arrived in the 65th minute when Bryan Mbeumo, back from AFCON duty and picked ahead from a quick flowing counter-attack led by Bruno Fernandes who layed the ball to the left side meeting Bryan Mbeumo perfectly for a well-timed shot past City’s goalkeeper Donnaruma. The Red Devils doubled their advantage just eleven minutes later with Patrick Dorgu reacting the quickest in the box, turning home a low delivery from Matheus Cunha who arrived from the bench to send Old Trafford into delirium.
City’s star forwards were largely neutralized as Erling Haaland was kept quiet, rarely finding space between United’s compact lines with their new man Antoine Semenyo who had scored in his first two games for his new club. Despite the attacking threat and their on form Phil Foden. Despite the introduction of Tijani Rjeinders and his runs into United box, Pep Guardiola’s men lacked the decisive spark in the final third. Defender Lisandro Martínez and goalkeeper Senne Lammens marshalled United’s rearguard with calm authority, keeping City at arm’s length throughout. By full-time, the Red Devils had not just claimed three vital points they had rewritten the narrative of their season. United move into the top five, while City now trail the league leaders with renewed urgency.
