Honestly, nobody saw that coming. Old Trafford hasn't felt this alive in months—maybe years—as Michael Carrick’s second stint in the dugout kicked off with a 2-0 demolition of Manchester City. It wasn't just a win; it was a statement. If you’ve been following the mess that was the end of the Ruben Amorim era, today felt like someone finally turned the lights back on.
Carrick went back to basics, binned the overly complex wing-back system, and let the players actually play. The result? A clinical, counter-attacking performance that left Pep Guardiola looking like he’d seen a ghost. Here are the man u player ratings today from a Manchester derby that might have just saved United's season.
The Defensive Wall: Old Guard and New Blood
Senne Lammens: 7.5/10
The kid has nerves of steel. He made a bit of a mess of a first-half corner, needlessly flapping at a ball he should’ve left, but he more than made up for it. That save from Max Alleyne’s header was world-class. He looks much more comfortable playing out from the back under Carrick than he did under the previous regime.
Diogo Dalot: 7/10
Lucky? Yeah, probably. That challenge on Jeremy Doku in the 11th minute was "orange" at best, and on another day, he’s taking an early shower. But once he settled down, he was solid. He’s much better in a traditional back four where he isn't asked to be a primary playmaker.
Harry Maguire: 8.5/10
Vintage Slabhead. He hit the bar early on with a thumping header and absolutely bossed Erling Haaland. It’s funny how everyone writes him off every six months, yet he puts in shifts like this. He led the line, organized the shape, and didn’t let anything past him.
Lisandro Martinez: 8/10
"The Butcher" is back. That sliding block on Haaland in the second half was worth a goal. His distribution was the catalyst for the first goal, finding Bruno with a line-breaking pass that bypassed City’s entire midfield press.
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Luke Shaw: 7/10
Solid, if unspectacular. He looked a bit leggy toward the end—which is understandable given his injury record—and got booked for a cynical foul, but he kept Phil Foden quiet for large stretches. He was replaced late on by young Louis Heaven for his debut.
Midfield Dominance: The Mainoo and Casemiro Show
Casemiro: 9/10 (Man of the Match)
If anyone tells you Casemiro is finished, show them a tape of today. He looked five years younger. He was everywhere, snapping into tackles and actually winning the physical battle against Rodri. He was the heartbeat of the team today. Basically, he showed why he's still one of the best when the system actually protects him.
Kobbie Mainoo: 8/10
The composure on this lad is frightening. He just glides through matches. He almost scored in the first half after some great work from Amad, and his ability to keep the ball in tight spaces was crucial when City tried to turn up the heat.
Bruno Fernandes: 8.5/10
The captain was back to his chaotic, brilliant best. He had a goal ruled out for a toe-length offside, but he didn’t let it frustrate him. The weight of his pass for Mbeumo’s opener was perfection. He’s the engine that makes this counter-attack work.
The Forward Line: Speed and Lethality
Amad Diallo: 7.5/10
He is so unlucky not to be on the scoresheet. He hit the post late on and had a goal chalked off for offside. His footwork is dazzling, and he gave Nathan Ake nightmares all afternoon.
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Patrick Dorgu: 8/10
What a signing he’s turning out to be. He worked his socks off defensively and then popped up at the back post to kill the game off in the 76th minute. He’s got that "right place, right time" instinct that United have lacked for a while.
Bryan Mbeumo: 8.5/10
Fresh off his return from AFCON, and he didn't miss a beat. His finish for the first goal was ice-cold. He brings a level of directness and physicality to the front line that Marcus Rashford just hasn't provided lately. Eight goals for the season now—not bad for a guy who’s been away for a month.
The Impact Subs
Matheus Cunha: 7.5/10
Came on for Mbeumo and immediately made an impact. His cross for Dorgu’s goal was "inch-perfect," as the commentators like to say. He’s a luxury player to have coming off the bench.
Manuel Ugarte: 6/10
Came on for Casemiro late to shore things up. Did his job, broke up play, and stayed disciplined.
Mason Mount: N/A
Hardly on the pitch long enough to rate, though he did have a late goal ruled out by VAR.
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Why These Ratings Matter for the Top Four Race
This win moves United up to 5th, right on the heels of Liverpool and City. The most important takeaway from the man u player ratings today isn't just the numbers; it's the tactical shift. Carrick didn't try to reinvent the wheel. He looked at the squad, realized they are elite at transition football, and let them hunt in packs.
City looked shell-shocked. Pep’s side has now gone four games without a win, and you could see the frustration on Haaland’s face as Maguire and Martinez neutralized him.
Actionable Insights for United Fans:
- Watch the Youth: Louis Heaven’s cameo suggests Carrick is going to trust the academy more than Amorim did. Keep an eye on the U21 lineups.
- The 4-3-3 is Back: Don't expect the three-at-the-back system to return anytime soon. This squad looks much more balanced in a traditional shape.
- Transfer Window: With Mbeumo and Dorgu firing, the need for a traditional #9 seems less urgent, but defensive depth is still a worry given Shaw’s fitness.
The momentum has shifted. Next up is a trip to the Emirates to face Arsenal. If United play with this level of intensity, the "Carrick Effect" might be more than just a honeymoon phase.
Next Steps:
If you're looking to track how these ratings affect the season-long averages, check the official Premier League stats or the Opta performance trackers. You should also keep an eye on the injury report for Luke Shaw, as his early exit might force a change for the Arsenal clash.