Old Trafford witnessed a derby night Manchester United fans have been craving for years. Not just a win — but a dominant, authoritative 2–0 victory over Manchester City that could easily have been far more emphatic, Softfootball reports.
United reduced Pep Guardiola’s side to just one shot on target, had three goals ruled out for offside, and struck the crossbar three times in a relentless display that overwhelmed City from start to finish. For once, this was not a smash-and-grab or a backs-to-the-wall performance — it was control, intensity, and conviction.
The result also marked a remarkable beginning for Michael Carrick, who has just taken charge as caretaker manager until the end of the season following a turbulent period under Ruben Amorim, with both parties parting ways earlier this month. For many United supporters, this performance felt like an instant course correction — a return to clarity, identity, and purpose. Carrick’s imprint was immediate, and fans wasted no time in declaring their belief that this short stint could turn into something far more meaningful.
Manchester United Fans Declare a New Era Under Carrick
United supporters were euphoric, many contrasting Carrick’s approach sharply with the Amorim era that preceded it.
@ghosttips didn’t hold back on what went wrong before:
Some of Amorim’s greatest mistakes were:
Playing Bruno Fernandes out of position…
Bought a striker he couldn’t even utilise.
Didn’t instruct the players to feed his striker.
And finally, his stubbornness.
Others highlighted key returns and City’s struggles. @mbrown wrote:
Man U are very lucky to have Mbeumo and Amad back from AFCON. Free spending City were outclassed, outgun and ran over. CarrickBall init 🫣.
Individual performances also stood out. @kingbyvf celebrated the night:
Mbeumo back with a goal.
Dorgu goal and Masterclass.
Bruno with his thing again.
Cunha back on the sheet.
Lisandro Martinez proved Scholes wrong.
Beautiful Carrick football humbling Fraudiola! Yes this is Manchester United 🤝🔥.
After the game, Manchester United via it official X handle shared that Bryan Mbeumo spoke to the Manchester United media about his feelings on scoring in his first Manchester derby at old trafford. They posted:
For some fans, the performance felt like a revival of United’s core identity. @albertnathyde said:
This is the Man Utd way of playing which won us so many trophies. Amorim was not ready to adjust. In Carrick we trust… let’s win the league.
Calls for Carrick’s permanence came quickly. @zikotalks posted:
Get the contract out, put it on the table. Let him sign it, let him write whatever numbers he wants to put on there, given what he’s done since he’s come in. Carrick’s at the wheel, man. He’s doing it.
The sense of pride was unmistakable. @oluwakayode added:
Manchester is red.
Congratulations to you guys, and thank you for giving Man City a reality check.
We won’t forget this kind gesture when Arsenal finally win the Premier League.
Emotion poured out across social media. @unclerobertmufc wrote:
I am absolutely SPEECHLESS, I haven’t enjoyed a match like that in time! We looked like a seriously different team. MANCHESTER IS RED ❤️❤️.
Some fans framed the night as tactical schooling. @drvaries said:
Michael Carrick just schooled Pep Guardiola at Old Trafford. This is United’s DNA. Counterattack. Amorim wanted to destroy this team. He wasted over a year trying to build what was not working.
Even rival fans acknowledged United’s superiority. @habdulhakeembhadmus commented:
United were sharper, quicker, and more decisive in every phase, leaving City with no response. A memorable night, a decisive victory, and a clear message sent across Manchester.
Lots of love from an Arsenal fan ❤️😎.
Micheal carrick was absolutely delighted about the win today, as he expressed in his post match reactions shared via the team’s official X handle, Watch his reaction below:
City Fans Turn on Pep as Title Hopes Fade
On the other side of Manchester, City supporters reacted with shock, anger, and resignation after a performance many described as unacceptable.
@drmeha posted an emotional farewell:
Thank you for everything coach PEP. I think now it’s the right time for you to move on. You have given your all. Thank you PEP, time to say goodbye.
Others were furious at the lack of intensity. @stephenwalker wrote:
Wow! We have really been cooked!! Disgraceful. Disastrous. Pep! Pep! Pep!
In the 2nd half of the season you don’t joke!
The players looked soo comfortable coming to this game… they literally didn’t come to fight for the title!
What happened to our fast and free flowing football?
That pass-pass game is really not needed in the 2nd half of the season… we need to wake up.
UCL and FA Cup is really far away if we don’t wake up and work things out.
Concerns over squad quality were also raised. @bhungane said:
“As long as Pep believes that these youngsters (Rico, Nico, and Max) are the calibre of @ManCity players, he’s effectively surrendering the league and other competitions to rival teams.”
The despair deepened with fears of missing out altogether. @bryanmcfc ranted:
Once again absolutely disgraceful for these players not to turn up in a Manchester derby. It’s not f*** good enough. We need to improve big time or we will be lucky to make top 4. You can kiss the league goodbye. Arsenal are champions and congratulations to them.
Still, a few fans urged calm. @voicesofhopes offered perspective:
Not bad guys, let get ourselves together go correct every mistakes. This is not what City fans prayed for but it can’t be changed right now. No day is same. Let’s work hard for next time 💪💪❤️.
After the game, city shared via its official X handle, the highlights of the game for fans to rewatch and debate on what went wrong at old trafford today and how to overcome it in their next fixture. They posted:
For Manchester United, this could be the start of something special. Michael Carrick’s caretaker reign could not have begun more emphatically, and fans will now hope this performance is not a one-off but the foundation of a strong finish to the season one built on identity, balance, and belief.
For Manchester City, the defeat raises uncomfortable questions. With the title race slipping away and confidence shaken, Guardiola faces mounting pressure to reset quickly or risk watching the season unravel further. One thing, however, is beyond debate after this night at Old Trafford – Manchester is red, and CarrickBall has arrived.
