Michael Carrick’s reign as Manchester United’s interim manager started on a winning note as he guided the Red Devils to a 2-0 win over Manchester City at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon, Softfootball reports.
The Manchester derby is the most anticipated by fans of both sides at the start of every season and in the first game back in September, Manchester City beat United with former manager Ruben Amorim in-charge. However, the appointment of Michael Carrick as Manchester United’s interim manager revitalised the Red Devils.
The new manager bounce helped the Red Devils to grab a fantastic win over one of their fierce premier league rivals and they celebrated the win via their official X handle with a simple graphic and a short caption. They posted:
MANCHESTER. IS. REDDDDD! 🤩❤️
Carrick made five changes to his first starting line-up from the team that last played in Darren Fletchers last match in-charge as caretaker manager with Matheus Cunha, Mason Mount and Benjamin Sesko on the bench while Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo started after returning from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Kobbie Mainoo also made his first start of the season.
Pep Guardiola gave starts to Erling Haaland, Phil Foden and new signing Antoine Semenyo but it was the home side that dominated play that the Cityzens could only muster a shot on target for 90minutes of the encounter. But the first half ended goalless.
Antoine Semenyo, who recently joined Manchester City on a long-term deal was kept quiet by Luke Shaw while Erling Haaland failed to get any joy from Lisandro Martinez. In the 65 th minute, Manchester United had a swift counter attack led by captain Bruno Fernandes and he brilliantly played in Mbeumo, who scored past the incredible Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Manchester United increased their lead as substitute Cunha played in Patrick Dorgu to score his second goal for the club to make it 2-0. Guardiola reacted to that second goal with three changes. Teenager Divine Mukasa, Rayan Aït-Nouri and Tijjani Reijnders came on for Bernardo Silva, Jeremy Doku and Erling Haaland – who has just not been at it today.
Carrick also made a change for Manchester United as Casemiro was replaced by Manuel Ugarte as the home team kept it tight to win comfortably with a 2-0 scoreline after three goals was ruled out for offside.
