Honestly, if you tried to script the Manchester derby, no one would believe you. On January 17, 2026, we saw yet another chapter that felt more like a fever dream than a tactical football match. Manchester United F.C. vs Manchester City F.C. is a fixture that has spent over a century making experts look like fools. This latest installment at Old Trafford was no different.
The build-up was classic chaos. United had just sacked Ruben Amorim. Michael Carrick, the man who seems to be the permanent "break glass in case of emergency" option, stepped back into the dugout. City, meanwhile, were chasing Arsenal for the title, looking as clinical as ever despite a few injuries. On paper? City should have walked it. In reality? United won 2-0.
That is the core of this rivalry. Logic doesn't live here.
The Day Manchester Turned Red (Again)
You've got to feel for Pep Guardiola. His side held 68% of the ball. They passed United into circles for large stretches of the match. But possession is a liar. United, under Carrick’s "attack-minded" vibes, just sat there and waited.
The breakthrough came in the 65th minute. Bryan Mbeumo, fresh back from the Africa Cup of Nations, finished a counter-attack that started with a classic Bruno Fernandes line-breaker. Then, ten minutes later, Patrick Dorgu—a name that's becoming a bit of a cult hero at Old Trafford—poked home a cross from Matheus Cunha.
- Final Score: Manchester United 2-0 Manchester City
- The Hero: Michael Carrick (100% win rate as interim, again)
- The Stat: Erling Haaland had zero shots on target. Zero.
How does Harry Maguire, a man who has been written off more times than a scrap car, come back into the team and keep Haaland in his pocket? It makes no sense. But that’s the derby. It’s a game where Diogo Dalot can escape a red card for a high challenge on Jeremy Doku after a lengthy VAR review, and everyone just kind of shrugs because, well, it’s Manchester.
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A History of Petty and Pure Drama
The roots of this thing go way back to 1881. Back then, it was St. Mark’s (West Gorton) vs. Newton Heath. It wasn't even a "derby" yet; it was just two groups of guys in the North of England playing in the mud.
By the early 1900s, it was actually sort of friendly. There was a financial scandal at City (some things never change, right?) where 17 players were banned. Four of them just walked across the road to United and helped them win the 1908 league title. Imagine that happening today. Imagine Kevin De Bruyne just signing for United tomorrow because of a FFP ruling. The city would actually burn down.
Iconic Moments That Still Sting
- The Denis Law Backheel (1974): The ultimate "oops." Law, a United legend playing for City, scored a backheel that he thought relegated United. He didn't celebrate. He looked like he’d just accidentally kicked his own dog.
- The 6-1 "Why Always Me?" (2011): Mario Balotelli's peak. This was the moment the "Noisy Neighbours" stopped just shouting and started actually taking over the house.
- The Rooney Bicycle Kick (2011): Even City fans, deep down in the dark parts of their souls, know that was a ridiculous goal.
- The 4-3 Michael Owen Winner (2009): Six minutes of added time in a four-minute window. Sir Alex Ferguson’s "Fergie Time" at its absolute finest/most controversial.
Why the Gap is Closing (and Why it Isn't)
People talk about the "Shift in Power" all the time. Since 2008, City has been a juggernaut. They’ve won eight Premier League titles in that span, while United has been stuck in a cycle of "rebuilding" since 2013.
But head-to-head? It’s surprisingly close. As of today, United still leads the all-time count with 81 wins to City’s 62. There have been 55 draws. City has the better squad, the better infrastructure, and probably the better manager (sorry, Carrick fans). But United has the ghosts. There is something about Old Trafford that makes City players look human.
Guardiola looked genuinely rattled in his post-match interview today. He blamed the lack of fitness in his defense—missing Stones, Dias, and Gvardiol—but the truth is, United just wanted it more. Kobbie Mainoo, who was basically frozen out by Amorim, played like a veteran next to Casemiro.
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Tactical Breakdown: Carrick vs. Pep
Pep loves control. He wants the game to be a chess match where he has all the queens. Carrick turned it into a street fight.
United’s 4-2-3-1 was compact. They let City have the ball in "non-dangerous" areas. Basically, City could pass it around the halfway line all day, but as soon as they hit the final third, Lisandro Martinez or Harry Maguire was there to clatter someone.
It was a "bravo" performance from United’s midfield. They didn't try to outplay City; they just out-ran them. Amad Diallo, also back from AFCON, was a nightmare on the wing. He didn't score, but he kept Nathan Ake so busy he couldn't help in the attack.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception is that this is a "new" rivalry born out of City’s oil money. It’s not. It’s a cultural divide that has existed since the industrial revolution. United was the "global" club, the establishment. City was the "local" club, the one that stayed in the community even when they were in the third tier of English football in the late 90s.
Even now, you’ll find City fans who claim "real" Mancunians support the Blues, while United fans are all from London or Singapore. It’s a tired trope, but it’s the fuel that keeps the fire going.
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How to Follow the Next One
If you're looking to actually understand the Manchester United F.C. vs Manchester City F.C. dynamic, don't look at the league table. It doesn't matter. Look at the form of the fringe players. In derbies, it’s rarely the superstars who decide things. It’s the Michael Owens, the Scott McTominays, the Patrick Dorgus.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check the Injury Reports early: City’s lack of defensive depth was the deciding factor today. If Dias and Gvardiol aren't back for the next meeting, expect the same result.
- Watch the Interim Effect: United is currently in a "new manager bounce" phase. Historically, this lasts about 5-6 games before the old problems creep back in.
- Keep an eye on the AFCON returnees: Mbeumo and Amad showed today that mid-season tournament rhythm is a real thing. They were sharper than everyone else on the pitch.
The 198th Manchester derby is in the books. Manchester is red for now, but in this city, the weather and the footballing dominance change faster than you can say "Fergie Time."
To stay ahead of the next fixture, start tracking the defensive recovery timelines for Manchester City's center-backs and monitor Michael Carrick's tactical shifts in United's upcoming FA Cup ties.