Manchester United beat Manchester City 2-0 in the Manchester derby on Saturday as Michael Carrick got off to a dream start as United’s interim manager.
WATCH — Full match replay
Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu scored in the second half after Gianluigi Donnarumma had made a string of top saves, while United also had three goals ruled out for offside and hit the woodwork twice in a thunderous display at a raucous Old Trafford.
MORE — Manchester United v Manchester City player ratings
With the win United move in to fourth place on 35 points, while City are on 43 points and have lost further ground in the title race.
MORE — Michael Carrick reaction to huge win
Carrick’s reign off to perfect start thanks to directness
There was a clear change in tactics for United in their first game under interim boss Michael Carrick and boy did it work a treat. United looked long early and often and the pace and direct running off Dorgu, Mbeumo and Amad Diallo stretched City’s shaky defense. Pushing Bruno Fernandes further forward was also a masterstroke as he was given the license to pick up the ball in lots of space and United had full backs pushing high and switched the ball early and often. Yes, this was a great time to play City given all of their defensive injuries. But United made the absolute most of it and Carrick’s blueprint should work pretty well for the rest of the season with this group of players. He kept it simple, kept the ball away from City’s dangerous players by by-passing midfield and United player the percentages extremely well. Teams will now know what to expect from Carrick’s United, but if they execute his plan as well as this they will win plenty of games for the final months of the season.
What’s next?
Manchester United head to Arsenal on Sunday, January 25. Man City head to Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League on Tuesday, then host Wolves on Saturday.
Manchester United vs Manchester City score: 3-0
Mbeumo 65', Dorgu 76'
Manchester United vs Manchester City live updates! — By Joe Prince-Wright
Mount scores... but it’s offside
Amad leads a counter and Cunha is played in down the right. His cross is finished by Mason Mount, who has just come off the bench. But the goal is ruled out by VAR for offside.
Amad hits the post!
He’s one on one with Ake and keeps on dribbling and cuts across goal before unleashing a shot on target. It looks like Donnarumma got a touch on it to tip the ball on to the post. What a save.
Triple sub for City, and Haaland is off
Bernardo Silva, Jeremy Doku and Erling Haaland are off with Divine Mukasa, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Tijjani Reijnders on. Haaland is being heckled by the United fans. He looks very surprised he’s being subbed off, but he’s hardly had a kick.
Dorgu makes it 2-0!
Patrick Dorgu puts United 2-0 up and Old Trafford has gone absolutely bonkers. Cunha’s cross from the right is finished at the back post by Dorgu as he nips in front of Lewis. City and Guardiola can’t believe it.
Mbeumo puts United ahead deservedly!
Bryan Mbeumo puts Manchester United 1-0 up! What a moment. After so many top saves from Donnarumma, United deserve that. And that goal sums up how Carrick wants United to play. Direct and fast on the counter. Fernandes led the charge and Mbeumo finished it with a low finish first time.
Donnarumma with another big stop to deny Mbeumo
A lovely cross to the back post from Fernandes finds Mbeumo and his volley across goal is saved by Donnarumma. Another top stop from City’s goalkeeper.
Diallo and Casemiro denied
After a lovely switch Amad Diallo with a low shot that is saved by Donnarumma but the ball bounces straight to Casemiro. He tries to dink it over Donnarumma but City’s goalkeeper sticks his foot up and makes a fine save. This is a great derby for a 0-0!
First chance for Haaland
It has taken almost 60 minutes, but Erling Haaland has a chance. Semenyo slips him in but Haaland’s shot is blocked by Martinez and goes out for a corner. The corner comes to nothing but City are keeping the ball well.
Almost a goal right away for United
Dalot whips in a cross from the right and three United players can’t quite get on the end of it. Positive start from the hosts.
Double sub at half time for City
Rayan Cherki is on for Phil Foden and Nico O’Reilly for Max Alleyne at half time. Ake has gone to center back and O’Reilly is at left back for City. Alleyne looked pretty shaky in that first half, while Foden struggled to get on the ball. Haaland is not looking comfortable at the start of the second half, but he’s still on the pitch.
Half time: Manchester United 0-0 Manchester City
Wow. That was a fun first half. Despite having less than 30 percent of the ball, United have had the better chances and City look really shaky at the back. Worth noting that Haaland is limping off with the help of trainers at half time. Something to keep a very close eye on.
Fernandes scores... but he’s offside
Lisandro Martinez clips a lovely long ball over the top and Fernandes is in as he rounds Donnarumma, then takes his time with City’s defenders scrambling and tucks home. VAR checks the offside and Fernandes is off. Like Amad’s goal, the lean is what puts Fernandes offside.
Semenyo curls wide
City are really on top now and Semenyo gets a bit of space on the edge of the box away from Shaw but his low shot flies wide.
Lammens denies Alleyne
City are pushing before half time as Alleyne’s header from a corner is saved really well by Lammens.
Amad scores, but he’s offside
Amad Diallo is played in and rounds Donnarumma and scores. VAR is checking. But he is off. Just. United are causing City so many problems with these quick early balls forward. Guardiola looks very worried.
Donnarumma denies Dorgu
United are having some real joy playing forward quickly and this time a cross finds Dorgu at the back stick but his low shot is pushed away sharply by Donnarumma. City are yet to really create a big chance. United could be 2-0 up.
Dalot catches Doku high
Diogo Dalot is booked and he’s probably lucky to not be sent off. His boot is high and he catches Doku on the knee, but there wasn’t quite enough force behind the challenge to warrant a red card. Still, that was nasty from Dalot.
Mbeumo is almost in!
City’s young defense is all over the place and Alleyne is caught on the ball by Mbeumo. Luckily for him and City, Donnarumma is off his line quickly and clears the danger. Just. United are well on top.
Maguire hits the crossbar from one yard out!
Bruno Fernandes whips a deep corner to the back post and Harry Maguire is unmarked and gets a run on Semenyo but he somehow powers his header against the crossbar. How has he missed!? He can’t believe it.
We’re off at a raucous Old Trafford
We are underway in the 198th Manchester derby. The United fans are making a lot of noise and earlly on Mbeumo is ruffling the feathers of this much-changed Man City defense.
Manchester United lineup
Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Mainoo; Amad, Fernandes, Dorgu; Mbeumo
Manchester City lineup
Donnarumma; Lewis, Khusanov, Alleyne, Ake; Rodri; Semenyo, Silva, Foden, Doku; Haaland
Manchester United team news, focus
OUT: Matthijs de Ligt (unspecified - MORE), Noussair Mazraoui (return from AFCON) | QUESTIONABLE:Bryan Mbeumo (return from AFCON), Amad Diallo (return from AFCON)
Manchester City team news, focus
OUT: Josko Gvardiol (ankle), Ruben Dias (thigh), John Stones (unspecified), Omar Marmoush (international duty - AFCON), Mateo Kovacic (ankle), Oscar Bobb (thigh) | QUESTIONABLE: Savinho (unspecified)
Manchester United vs Manchester City preview — By Nick Mendola
The early morning fixtures sees Manchester United bidding to strengthen its top-four case and pick up a first win since the firing of Ruben Amorim earlier this month. The Red Devils drew Burnley away in the Premier League and fell to Brighton in an FA Cup match on Sunday.
Of course, the Manchester derby is nothing new to Carrick. He pulled on a Man Utd shirt for 31 derbies, winning 17 and drawing three while scoring thrice and adding two assists. Club familiarity is nice but did little for United in the reverse fixture on Sept. 14, with City winning 3-0 at the Etihad on two goals from Erling Haaland and a pair of assists from Jeremy Doku.
United remain within three points of the top four but Man City have a larger gap to first place on the Premier League table. Three-straight league draws have seen City lose ground on Arsenal, thought Pep Guardiola’s men smashed Exeter City 10-1 in the FA Cup on Saturday and handled Newcastle 2-0 in the League Cup semifinal first leg on Tuesday. Antoine Semenyo is off to a flyer for City, scoring in both games since arriving from Bournemouth and giving his new side another way to overcome a series of defensive injuries that have them without big names Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias.
Manchester United vs Manchester City prediction
The new manager bounce is always possible and there won’t be in a soul in the building who won’t be up for such a big affair, but United continue to ship goes without the injured Matthijs de Ligt. Their GF:GA since December 4 is 15:12 with just a single clean sheet. They may find a way past Gigio Donnarumma, but they’ll need Senne Lammens to be Man of the Match caliber to collect all of the points. And even then... Manchester United 1-2 Manchester City
How to watch Manchester United vs Manchester City live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 7:30am ET Saturday
Venue: Old Trafford — Manchester
TV Channel: USA
Streaming: Watch on USA Network
