Honestly, walking into Old Trafford today felt different. There was this weird, buzzing energy that we haven’t seen in months—maybe years. If you’ve been following the soccer sport news now, you know the narrative around Manchester United has been nothing short of a car crash lately. But then Saturday afternoon happened.
Michael Carrick, back in the dugout as the "new" boss (again), just delivered a masterclass that has the red side of Manchester actually smiling. A 2-0 win over Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City? Nobody saw that coming. Not with City chasing the title and United looking like they couldn't find the back of the net with a map and a flashlight.
The "Carrick Effect" is officially a thing. The gloom didn't just lift; it was blasted away.
The Derby That Changed Everything
United didn't just win; they dominated. It’s kinda wild to think that Bryan Mbeumo, fresh off his Africa Cup of Nations duties with Cameroon, would be the one to break the deadlock. He slotted a low strike into the corner in the 65th minute, and you could practically hear the collective sigh of relief from the Stretford End.
Then came Patrick Dorgu.
📖 Related: Barry Sanders Shoes Nike: What Most People Get Wrong
He doubled the lead in the 76th minute, tapping in a cross from Matheus Cunha after basically out-hustling Rico Lewis. City looked shell-shocked. Erling Haaland was a ghost. When even your goal machine can't get a sniff of the ball, you know something is fundamentally broken in the system. Pep looked like he wanted to be anywhere else but that touchline.
Breaking Down the Premier League Chaos
While Manchester was turning red, the rest of the league was having a bit of a meltdown. Liverpool fans are probably tearing their hair out right about now. They still haven't won a league game in 2026. A 1-1 draw at home against Burnley is... well, it’s a disaster for a team with title ambitions. Florian Wirtz tried his best, but Marcus Edwards snatched an equalizer that felt like a punch to the gut for the Anfield faithful.
- Chelsea’s New Era: Liam Rosenior’s first league game in charge was a success. A 2-0 win over Brentford.
- West Ham’s Survival: Callum Wilson scored a 93rd-minute winner against Spurs. The London Stadium went mental.
- The Leeds Surge: Lukas Nmecha grabbed a late winner against Fulham. Leeds have lost only once in their last nine.
Soccer Sport News Now: The Transfer Window is Getting Weird
We have to talk about the money being thrown around this January. It’s not just the usual suspects. Manchester City actually dropped £65 million on Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth. That’s a massive statement of intent, even if they did just lose the derby.
But the real drama is at Tottenham. Selling Brennan Johnson to Crystal Palace for £35 million has reportedly caused a bit of a rift in the Spurs dressing room. Players aren't happy. It's one of those moves that makes sense on a balance sheet but absolutely kills the team's vibe. To make up for it, they’ve brought in Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid for roughly the same price. It’s basically a high-stakes game of musical chairs.
👉 See also: Arizona Cardinals Depth Chart: Why the Roster Flip is More Than Just Kyler Murray
West Ham is also going for it. They’ve signed Taty Castellanos from Lazio for £26 million and Pablo Felipe from Gil Vicente for nearly £20 million. They are desperate to stay in the Premier League, and honestly, after that win against Spurs, the investment is already looking semi-smart.
Champions League Pressure is Mounting
Inter Milan is currently the team to beat in Italy. They just handled Udinese with a 2-0 win, thanks to Lautaro Martinez, and they look terrifying ahead of their Champions League clash with Arsenal.
Speaking of the Champions League, the knockout phase starts on February 17. The draw is set for January 30, and everyone is sweating. The new format means teams in positions 9 to 16 have to fight through a play-off round. Basically, there’s no room for a "slow start" anymore. If you aren't on your game by the first week of February, you're out.
What This Means for Your Weekend
If you're looking at the soccer sport news now and trying to figure out what happens next, keep an eye on the Arsenal vs. Nottingham Forest result. If Arsenal wins, City is suddenly nine points behind. That’s a massive gap to bridge, even for a team with Pep at the helm.
✨ Don't miss: Anthony Davis USC Running Back: Why the Notre Dame Killer Still Matters
United is now provisionally in the top four. It’s a complete 180-degree turn from where they were two weeks ago. Carrick seems to have simplified things: attack with intent, don't overthink the buildup, and let the fans provide the energy. It sounds simple, but in the modern game, simplicity is a rare luxury.
Real-world takeaways you can use:
- Watch the Momentum: United is the "form" team to bet on or follow right now. The psychological boost of a derby win is huge.
- Monitor the Market: The January window closes soon. Watch Newcastle—they are rumored to be hunting for midfielders to fix their depth issues.
- Set the Calendar: January 30 is the Champions League draw. That will dictate the narrative for the rest of the spring.
The landscape is shifting fast. One week you're a "crisis club," the next you're the talk of the town. That's the beauty of the sport, honestly. You never really know what's coming until the whistle blows.