Michael Carrick’s interim reign at Man United is off to a flying start after a 2-0 win over their local rivals Man City.
Pep Guardiola’s side found themselves completely outplayed by the hosts and Old Trafford was rocking on Saturday afternoon.
Gianluigi Donnarumma had kept City in the game with a string of outstanding saves and United were denied two marginally offside goals before breaking the deadlock.
Bryan Mbeumo fired home on the break and Carrick’s men then doubled the advantage through Patrick Dorgu.
Erling Haaland was anonymous up front, while Phil Foden also struggled to make a meaningful impact on proceedings.
Here, Chris Wheeler scores the home side out of 10, while Jack Gaughan gives his verdict on the battered and beaten visitors.
Pep Guardiola and his assistant Pep Lijnders looked exasperated on the touchline
MAN UTD (4-2-3-1)
Senne Lammes – 7
Opposite number Donnarumma was by far the busier of the two keepers. Had surprisingly little to do as United kept City’s attack at bay for much of the game, and made one brave save from Alleyne’s header as the boots flew at a corner in the first half.
Diogo Dalot – 7
Booked for catching Dorgu on the knee with his studs early on and under pressure from that moment on. Coped with it well though and got forward to create chances on the right flank as well.
Harry Maguire – 7
First start since early November and immediately shored up the United defence. Will be kicking himself that he didn’t put United in front in the opening seconds, heading against the bar from Fernandes’ corner when it would have been easier to score.
Lisandro Martinez – 7.5
Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes joked about Haaland picking up his small opponent and running with him, but Martinez shut out the Norwegian once again. His attitude was summed up by a fantastic block on the Norwegian early in the second half.
Lisandro Martinez shut out Erling Haaland and was fantastic for Man United
Luke Shaw – 6.5
Like Dalot, picked up an early booking for a foul on Rodri but didn’t let it affect him. Did well to subdue Semenyo in the first half and Doku when he switched to the left flank after the interval.
Kobbie Mainoo – 6.5
Second Premier League start in a row under Carrick and Darren Fletcher after being largely frozen out under Amorim. Slowly building up his confidence and match fitness, and this was another excellent display.
Casemiro – 7
Brought stability and poise to United’s midfield. Should have scored from a rebound after Diallo’s shot was saved, and comically fell over his own feet moments later, but deserved a standing ovation when he went off.
Amad Diallo 9
Back from AFCON and how United have missed him. At the heart of most of his team’s best moments and had a goal disallowed for a narrow offside before hitting the post late on. Guardiola sent on Nico O’Reilly at half-time to try and contain Diallo, but the substitute was booked within three minutes for fouling him.
Amad Diallo was at the heart of most of Manchester United’s best moments in the game
Bruno Fernandes 8.5
A driving force for his team and no surprise that he got the assist on Mbeumo’s opener shortly after the hour mark, having sold his teammate short with a pass in front of goal in the first half. Unlucky to have a goal of how own chalked off for offside.
Passing more wayward than usual, not least when he sold Mbeumo short in front of goal. But drove his team on and no surprise that he got the assist on Mbeumo’s shortly after the hour mark. Also unlucky to have a first-half goal chalked off for offside.
Patrick Dorgu 7.5
Deployed in a more advanced role in Carrick’s 4-2-3-1 formation and scored the second goal, stealing in to convert from Cunha’s cross, after Donnarumma had denied him in the first half.
Bryan Mbeumo 8
Led the attack on his return from AFCON and got the all-important goal with a precision finish from a United breakaway in the 65th minute. Mbeumo’s pace was a problem for City from the start, justifying Carrick’s decision to play him through the middle instead of Sesko.
Bryan Mbeumo scored the opening goal of the game for Man United after a rapid break
Subs: Bayindir, Mount (for Fernandes 90+1), Cunha (for Mbeumo 71, 7.5), Malacia, Yoro, Ugarte (for Casemiro 81), Heaven (for Shaw 90+1), Sesko, J Fletcher
Scorers: Mbeumo 65, Dorgu 76
Booked: Dalot, Shaw
Head coach: Michael Carrick – 8
Big day for him after taking on the job of head coach and will be delighted with the outcome. Put round pegs in round holes and instilled a bit of the old United spirit.
Referee: Anthony Taylor 6
Att: 74,004
Man City
Gianluigi Donnarumma – 8
Superb and the only City man to come out with any credit. Stunning second-half saves and acted as a sweeper to bail out defenders.
Gianluigi Donnarumma saved City on numerous occasions and the defeat could have been worse
Rico Lewis – 5.5
Useful at moving into central midfield and was often in menacing spaces. Solid afternoon until badly switching off at the back post for Dorgu’s finish.
Abdukodir Khusanov – 5
Lost more duels than he won. Did well on the cover owing to his pace, although team mates wondered if he could’ve done more for the Mbeumo goal.
Max Alleyne – 5.5
Very nervous start on such a big occasion. Did settle himself down but was taken off at the break. Shouldn’t detract from a hugely positive week.
Nathan Ake – 4.5
Indecision with Amad’s late chance tough to watch. Chosen ahead of Nico O’Reilly to offer experience in the back four but City never looked at ease defensively.
Rodri – 5.5
Improved for 15 minutes after half time but didn’t offer that pure control that has been the hallmark of City’s play for so many years.
Antoine Semenyo – 6
One genius pass to set Erling Haaland away in the 54th minute. Not a lot of other moments to shout about though.
Antoine Semenyo was Manchester City’s best outfield player but there was not much competition
Phil Foden – 5.5
Really struggled to progress the ball in a congested midfield despite seeing plenty. Delivery from set pieces not his usual high standard. Off at half time.
Bernardo Silva – 5.5
Industrious as always but didn’t really carry City through the thirds. Tried to needle United in a team performance that lacked bite.
Jeremy Doku – 5
A waste of resources after Dalot was booked. Barely ran at his man and end product severely lacked.
Erling Haaland – 4.5
Peripheral on another frustrating day for the league’s top scorer. In desperate need of a rest, doesn’t look himself at all.
Erling Haaland barely offered any threat at all for Manchester City in the derby clash
Subs
Rayan Cherki (for Foden, 46) – 5
Nico O’Reilly (for Alleyne, 46) – 4.5
Tijjani Reijnders (for Silva, 80)
Divine Mukasa (for Haaland, 80)
Rayan Ait-Nouri (for Doku, 80)
