Michael Carrick Manchester United caretaker reign could scarcely have started any more emphatically than Old Trafford regained its larynx and the Manchester City title window was well shattered. Second-half finishes by Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu secured a much-needed 2-0 triumph to United on a vibrating derby afternoon that provoked jubilations amongst the crowd and reduced Pep Guardiola to all-time lows of the season.
In the pre-kick-off phase, one could realize that this was not similar. The fans of United, players and employees were urgent and believing in the arrival of Carrick, and that desirability did not decrease. To begin with, City have received a premonition when an attempt by Bernando Silva, created in close range during the flick-on of Erling Haaland, has been disallowed by the offside rule within the first six minutes. It was one such moment that slightly stunned the crowd but appeared to give United a better focus as well.
Nevertheless, the overall performance of the first half continued, and it was the standout performance of the visitors who played to the goal of the City of Gianluigi Donnarumma. The Italian made a spectacular series of saved, repelling Patrick Dorgu, Amad Diallo, Casemiro and Mbeumo when United sliced through the City midfield again and again with speed and deliberately. The interventions by Donnarumma kept City afloat in a half where Guardiola side could not get control, in spite of spells of possession.
United had no moments of anxiety. Early in the game, Diogo Dalot got away with what many perhaps considered a red card due to a high challenge on Jeremy Doku. Referee Anthony Taylor and the fourth official Craig Pawson chose not to impose harsh punishment, a move that blackened the face of City, however ending up playing a crucial role. After conducting themselves above that flash point, United found themselves in a groove that showed the vulnerability of City in transition.
The hosts did not relent and even though City did threaten occasionally, a Silva pass was headed wide and a Max Alleyne shot was brilliantly repelled by Senne Lammens, their efforts were never as sharp as what is normally attributed to Guardiola teams. Haaland, again, stood alone and only scored one goal in seven games.
At last, however, after an hour, the breakthrough of United had come. Bruno Fernandes, the embodiment of what Carrick talked of when focusing on leadership and composure, provided the impetus on the counter-attack and passed Mbeumo at the left. Being back at Old Trafford after the Africa Cup of Nations business, the Cameroonian did not exhibit any rustiness and his finish past Donnarumma was a send-down-balloon to the fans assembled at Old Trafford. sitting in the stands, Sir Alex Ferguson stood and applauded a moment which seemed symbolic in the resurgence of belief at United.
United were not happy, however, to defend a narrow margin. They attacked once again eleven minutes later. Rico Lewis was taken by the surprise when Matheus Cunha played a sharp cut-back and Dorgu responded the fastest to stab home and increased the lead given to the team, and this indicated the superiority of United. Even at that time the Carrick side persisted and had three more goals disallowed as offside and Diallo hit the post towards the end of the match.
City, on the other hand, never had an appearance of being able to make a comeback. Guardiola was a frustrated figure in the dugout, as Haaland was sarcastically signaled by the United fans when he was later replaced with 10 minutes to go. The Old Trafford applause was all praise, not only of a win, but of a relief, after months of confusion.
United were determined at the rear. Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez both deserved their commendation as they managed to neutralise the threat of Haaland. Martinez had made a sliding block in time when the Norwegian seemed to have get one goal. Lammens, in the background, was able to salvage an early mistake to save vital goals, only the third instance of a clean sheet of the season of United.
On midfield, Kobbie Mainoo performed excellently as he played with Casemiro where he took the initiative to dictate pace and disrupt the play of the City. It was the performance of Mainoo, especially that, which has brought to light what United have lacked in the past few weeks, bringing back a feeling of balance and sanity to the team, through Carrick.
At the time of the last whistle, United momentarily rose to the fourth place which they had actually had difficulties reaching during the time of Ruben Amorim. Even when the game was over, Carrick was serenaded by the fans and his composed and serene authority could have easily been felt by the players and fans. The ramifications were negative in the case of City. This losing streak in the Premiership reached four consecutive matches and with Arsenal yet to come later in the day, Guardiola and his men might be nine points behind the top with only 16 games left to play.
The Michael Carrick Manchester United caretaker reign has ultimately started- and started with statement victory that gives the belief back at Old Trafford and leaves the City living to the prospect of ending up losing the title to their grasp. To United, this was more than 3 points, it was a lesson about the power of hard work, quality, and togetherness on the largest stage.
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