Michael Carrick described Old Trafford as “a magical place” before taking charge of Manchester United for the first match of his second spell as head coach. Few could have predicted just how powerful that magic would be as United delivered a commanding 2-0 derby victory over Manchester City, leaving Pep Guardiola admitting his side may have lost regardless of an early refereeing decision that went in their favor.
The win marked an emphatic opening chapter for Carrick, who has now beaten Guardiola as United head coach, adding to previous victories over Unai Emery and Mikel Arteta, as well as a draw against a Chelsea side led by Thomas Tuchel. As he walked off the pitch to chants from fans who have sung his name since his arrival as a player in 2006, Carrick could hardly have asked for a better return.
“It’s a great start, no doubt about it,” Carrick said afterward. “But consistency is the key to any success. Today had a lot of emotion and intensity, and not every game brings that. What matters is maintaining the standards we set.”
Carrick’s calm demeanor stands in contrast to the more animated personalities who preceded him. He is measured, reserved and well aware that one high-profile win does not define a season. Still, this performance suggested clarity of thought and a strong understanding of the squad.
That understanding has been shaped by years of close observation. Despite leaving the club as a player more than a decade ago, Carrick and his family have remained season ticket holders. He has watched countless matches from the stands and recently analyzed United as a television pundit. When the opportunity unexpectedly arose following Ruben Amorim’s dismissal, Carrick already had a sense of how to unlock the team’s potential.
A key change was moving away from Amorim’s three-man defense and restoring Kobbie Mainoo to a central role. The young midfielder, previously constrained by a rigid system, thrived alongside veteran Casemiro.
“Kobbie was excellent with Casemiro,” Carrick said. “They gave us a real foundation in midfield.”
That platform allowed United to execute a disciplined and aggressive game plan. Despite having just 32 percent possession, United limited City to an expected goals figure of just 0.45, one of the lowest Guardiola has seen in his Premier League career.
Defensively, United’s 4-4-2 shape was compact and relentless. Wingers worked tirelessly, with Patrick Dorgu tracking Rico Lewis to shut down City’s central overloads, while Amad frequently dropped back to form a temporary back five, neutralizing Jeremy Doku. City were repeatedly forced wide, where United crowded space and denied clear chances.
At the heart of that effort was Harry Maguire, starting his first match in nearly two months. Alongside Lisandro Martinez, he dominated Erling Haaland and anchored a back line that rarely looked stretched.
“It was a big ask,” Carrick said of Maguire. “He’s only had a couple of days of training in weeks, so it was a calculated risk. But he was outstanding.”
United were equally dangerous going forward, playing with the speed and directness long associated with the club’s identity. They hit the woodwork twice, had three goals ruled out for offside and forced multiple top-class saves from City’s goalkeeper. One reaction stop to deny Casemiro late in the match summed up City’s frustration.
Former players were quick to praise the display. Gary Neville said City were “run ragged,” while Roy Keane described it as a perfect afternoon that owed nothing to luck. Wayne Rooney highlighted the work rate and collective effort that have been missing in recent seasons.
“The fans have been starved of that,” Rooney said. “You could see the United DNA again. Everyone worked, everyone helped each other.”
The atmosphere reflected that renewed connection. For the first time in a long while, Old Trafford pulsed with belief as supporters responded to a team executing a clear plan and giving everything for the shirt.
“The players fed off it,” Carrick said. “They were desperate to do well, maybe even too desperate at times, but they found the right balance. This place really can be magical.”
There is already debate about who United should pursue as a long-term manager and whether Carrick is merely a short-term solution. Performances like this, however, have a way of reshaping opinions. While Carrick remains cautious, the emotion generated by this victory is undeniable.
“We’re not getting carried away,” he said. “But you have to enjoy moments like this. The challenge now is to build on it.”
For one afternoon at least, Manchester United rediscovered their identity, and Michael Carrick delivered a start that felt close to perfect.