Honestly, walking out of Old Trafford yesterday felt like stepping out of a time machine. If you’ve followed football Manchester United today, you know the drill: a new manager arrives, there's a brief spark, and then the inevitable slow-motion car crash begins. But the 2-0 demolition of Manchester City on Saturday felt... well, weirdly sustainable.
Michael Carrick didn't just win his first game as interim boss. He dismantled a Pep Guardiola side that looked, for the first time in years, completely out of ideas.
The Carrick Effect: It’s Not Just "New Manager Bounce"
Most people think a change in the dugout is just about "vibes" or clearing the air after Ruben Amorim’s messy exit earlier this month. That’s a lazy take. What we saw against City was a tactical masterclass from a guy who’s spent the last two years quietly refining his craft at Middlesbrough.
Carrick didn’t try to reinvent the wheel. He went back to basics, but with a modern edge. United sat in a disciplined 4-2-3-1 that transitioned into a 4-4-2 mid-block, frustrating City’s build-up until they started making sloppy mistakes.
The goals weren’t lucky. Bryan Mbeumo—fresh back from AFCON—showed exactly why United fought so hard to keep him in the squad, finishing a clinical counter-attack in the 65th minute. Then you had Patrick Dorgu, who is quickly becoming the steal of the decade, poaching the second ten minutes later.
Sir Alex Ferguson was in the stands, and for once, he wasn't grimacing. He was beaming.
Why the Midfield Finally Works
The biggest nightmare for United fans over the last three seasons has been the "Swiss cheese" midfield. You know the one—huge gaps that even a semi-pro team could exploit.
Yesterday, Casemiro looked five years younger. Why? Because Kobbie Mainoo did the running of three men.
- Mainoo’s stat line: 91% pass accuracy, 2 interceptions, and a lung-busting 11.8km covered.
- Casemiro’s role: Sit, shield, and distribute. No more chasing shadows.
It's simple, really. Carrick understands midfield geometry better than most because he lived it. By narrowing the distance between the lines, he forced City to go wide, where Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw (who remarkably completed 90 minutes) kept things locked down.
The January Transfer Reality Check
While the win was massive, let’s be real about the squad depth. The January window is open, and United are still "less active" than the likes of City or Chelsea. There’s a lot of noise about Carlos Baleba from Brighton and Joao Gomes at Wolves.
My sources suggest don't hold your breath for a £60m splash this month. The club hierarchy is focused on the "summer overhaul" for the 2026/27 season. They’ve basically handed Carrick the keys until May to see if he can pull off a miracle Top 4 finish before they decide on a permanent appointment.
Marcos Llorente has been mentioned as a £30m target, but that feels like a classic "agent-led" rumor. The real focus is on younger, high-ceiling talent like Elliot Anderson.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Manager Search
The media is obsessed with Oliver Glasner leaving Crystal Palace and potentially heading to Manchester. Sure, Glasner is a great coach, but the mood at Carrington has shifted. There is a genuine feeling that if Carrick maintains this level—and if he gets United back into the Champions League—the job is his to lose.
He has 17 games left to prove it. One derby win is a start, but the real test is the consistency that eluded Amorim, Ten Hag, and everyone else who tried to fill the void.
What’s Next: The Arsenal Gauntlet
The high won’t last long. United travel to the Emirates next Sunday to face league leaders Arsenal. If you want to see if this "Carrickball" is the real deal, that’s the game to watch.
Arsenal are relentless right now, even after their 0-0 draw with Forest. They’ll test United’s defensive structure in ways City didn't.
Injury Update for the Arsenal Trip:
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- Matthijs de Ligt: Still a doubt with that persistent back issue. He’s doing individual work, but he likely won't start.
- Noussair Mazraoui: He’s in the AFCON final with Morocco tonight. Even if they win, he’ll need a week to recover. Expect Dalot to stay at right-back.
- Harry Maguire: He survived the derby and actually looked solid. He'll be vital for the aerial battle against Gabriel and Saliba.
Actionable Steps for the "United Today" Fan
If you're trying to keep track of this chaotic season, here’s how to navigate the next two weeks.
First, ignore the "Tier 3" transfer rumors on X (Twitter). The club has explicitly stated they are looking for "efficiency" rather than "superstars" this month. Focus on news regarding Matheus Cunha and his integration; he looked sharp coming off the bench and his chemistry with Mbeumo will be the key to United's goal output.
Second, watch the Under-18s progress. With Travis Binnion moving up to the first-team coaching staff under Carrick, the pipeline for players like Jack Moorhouse and Harry Amass (recently recalled from loan) is more open than ever.
Finally, keep an eye on the table. United are currently 4th with 35 points, but Liverpool and Aston Villa are breathing down their necks with games in hand. The margin for error is zero.
Go watch the highlights of the Dorgu goal again. It’s the first time in a long time that United felt like United.