The Manchester Derby arrived at a difficult moment for United. Michael Carrick was taking charge of his first match as interim manager. A respected figure at the club, but returning to active duty after months away and finding a United side sunk in chaos. On the other side stood a stable City, in good form, unbeaten in 13 matches and still dreaming of closing the gap to Arsenal. Everything pointed to a City-dominated game, but the derby rarely respects simple logic.
From the start, it was clear that United would not accept a passive role. Even with less possession, they pressed very aggressively, forcing mistakes in dangerous areas and disrupting City’s build-up. In the opening minutes they created real danger, with Bruno crossing and Maguire heading the ball against the crossbar in an aerial duel inside the box. Shortly after, Mbeumo had a 1v1 with Donnarumma that could have changed the game early. City had more of the ball, as expected, but were far from controlling the match comfortably.
United’s plan was clear and it was working. A compact block, defensive solidarity and fast transitions. Dorgu provided depth on the left, Diallo helped Dalot defensively after his early booking, and Bruno acted as the brain of the counter-attacks. Defensively, the team were extremely focused, with everyone behind the ball when needed and interior spaces well protected.
City had possession, but little creativity. Haaland was completely out of the game in the first half, almost always well controlled by Lisandro Martínez, and Foden was also quiet. Even when City reached the edge of the box, they lacked aggression and clarity. United, on the other hand, scored twice, both goals ruled out for offside, but the feeling was clear. They were more dangerous with 30 percent possession than City were with over 70 percent. At half-time, the numbers confirmed it. The same number of shots, but more real danger from the red side.
In the second half, the game remained intense and somewhat nervous, helped by the inconsistent performance of the referee, who gradually lost emotional control of the match. City tried to push higher, but still lacked clear solutions. Haaland remained invisible, well neutralised and increasingly frustrated. United, meanwhile, stayed comfortable in their approach, defending well and attacking better than expected.
A fast counter-attack, perfectly timed by Bruno Fernandes, who waited for Mbeumo’s run and released the ball at the right moment. A clean finish, 1-0, and Old Trafford erupted. City took the blow and never truly managed to respond.
In the 76th minute came the moment that sealed the game. Another quick transition, Diallo found Cunha, who went to the byline, dragged the defence and squared for Dorgu, attacking the space at speed and finishing. 2-0. A goal that symbolised everything United did well. Intensity, coordination and collective commitment. From that point on, City had no answer. Not even the late substitutions changed the course of the match.
Lisandro Martínez delivered an absolutely monumental performance, nullifying Haaland throughout his time on the pitch. Casemiro, despite missing a clear chance, was very important defensively and left the field to a standing ovation. On City’s side, Haaland left without making an impact, confirming a performance well below expectations, and the collective never found solutions to break down the opposing block.
The disallowed goal by Mount in stoppage time does not change the story. The final score of 2-0 flatters City.
United responded in the only place where they still seem to find an identity. On the pitch, in big games. It was Carrick’s first match and he already achieved something that seemed almost impossible. A team that looked organised, united and competitive. It does not solve United’s structural problems, nor erase the chronic instability, but it is a huge victory in emotional, competitive and symbolic terms. For City, it is a serious setback in the title race.
Post-match
Manchester United won the derby because they were simply better in every aspect. They did not have more possession, but they were more intense, more organised and far more dangerous when they had space. They defended in a compact block, with solidarity, and broke quickly whenever they recovered the ball, constantly creating problems for a City side that was far too predictable.
Lisandro Martínez produced a huge performance and completely erased Haaland, who once again had a poor game. Casemiro, despite the clear miss, was important defensively and gave balance in midfield. Bruno Fernandes led the counter-attacks with quality and patience, always waiting for the right moment to release the ball. United grew every time they attacked in transition.
City had possession, but little more than that. They circulated the ball, created very little and rarely entered the box with real danger. Foden did not appear, Haaland was a ghost and the team found no solutions when United closed the interior spaces.
The 2-0 scoreline makes sense, but it could have been much higher. United were more competent, more focused and more effective. A brilliant and massive victory for the red side. Manchester is Red.