Everything changed in a week. Honestly, if you told a United fan on New Year’s Day that Michael Carrick would be back in the dugout for the Manchester derby, they’d have called you crazy. But here we are. The Ruben Amorim era ended with a whimper, the three-at-the-back experiment was tossed into the bin, and suddenly Old Trafford feels like it has its soul back.
The 2-0 win over Manchester City wasn't just a fluke result. It was a tactical statement. People are obsessing over the line up Man Utd used to dismantle Pep Guardiola’s side, and for good reason. It felt nostalgic yet modern.
Carrick didn't overthink it. He basically looked at the talent available, saw Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo returning from AFCON, and decided to play players in their actual positions. Revolutionary, right?
Why the 4-2-3-1 is back for good
Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 was exhausting. It demanded too much from wing-backs who weren't natural fit for the role and left the midfield looking like a highway for opposition counter-attacks. Carrick switched back to a classic 4-2-3-1. It’s a shape these players know.
Senne Lammens, the Belgian youngster who has effectively displaced André Onana, kept his spot in goal. He’s been a revelation. His distribution isn't as flashy as Onana's, but he actually catches the ball. That helps.
The back four against City was where the game was won. Diogo Dalot and Patrick Dorgu provided the width. But the real story? Harry Maguire. He came back from a hamstring injury that had kept him out since November and looked like a man possessed. Alongside Lisandro Martinez, they bullied Erling Haaland. You’ve rarely seen Haaland that frustrated in a derby.
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Midfield balance: The Casemiro-Ugarte debate
For months, the big question was how to fit Kobbie Mainoo, Manuel Ugarte, and Casemiro into the same team. You can't. Not if you want to win.
Carrick made the tough call. He benched Mainoo for the derby, opting for the steel of Casemiro and Ugarte. It was a "destroyer" pivot. They sat deep, shielded the back four, and let the front four do the damage.
"We just wanted to be solid," Carrick said after the match. "In games like this, you can't give City an inch in the middle of the pitch. Manuel and Case were immense."
It worked because it allowed Bruno Fernandes to play as a pure No. 10 again. Under Amorim, Bruno was often drifted wide or asked to play deeper. In this line up Man Utd showed, he was the heartbeat of every counter-attack.
The Mbeumo and Dorgu effect
Bryan Mbeumo is the signing that keeps on giving. Returning from international duty, most expected him to be on the bench. Instead, he started on the right and scored the opener in the 65th minute. He has this knack for being in the right place at the right time.
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Then there’s Patrick Dorgu. Is he a left-back? A winger? A wing-back? Against City, he played as a hybrid left-sided attacker who tucked in to help the midfield. He’s only 21, but he plays with the composure of a veteran. His goal to seal the 2-0 win was a clinical finish at the back post from a Matheus Cunha cross.
Speaking of Cunha, he’s become the unsung hero of this squad. He doesn't always get the goals, but his work rate is insane. He occupied City’s defenders, allowing Benjamin Šeško to find pockets of space. Šeško didn't score this time, but his hold-up play was vital.
What’s happening with the bench?
The depth is finally looking decent. Look at the names who didn't start the derby:
- Kobbie Mainoo (came on late)
- Mason Mount
- Amad Diallo
- Joshua Zirkzee
- Tyrell Malacia
Zirkzee is a weird one. Rumors are flying about a move to Roma. He hasn't really settled, and with Šeško finding form, it’s hard to see where the Dutchman fits. Carrick seems to prefer more direct runners.
Matthijs de Ligt is still out with that nagging back issue. The club says he’ll be back by early February, but with Maguire and Martinez playing like that, there’s no rush to bring him back.
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Tactical nuances most people missed
It wasn't just a low block. United pressed in triggers. When Rodri received the ball with his back to goal, United swarmed. It was a coordinated hunt.
When you analyze the line up Man Utd deployed, the average position of the wingers was much higher than under the previous regime. They weren't tracking back to form a back six; they were staying high to keep City’s full-backs honest. It forced City to play more conservatively than they liked.
Moving forward: The Arsenal test
The high of the derby win won't last long. Next up is Arsenal at the Emirates. Mikel Arteta’s side are leading the league, and they won't be as vulnerable to the counter-attack as City were.
Carrick has to decide if he sticks or twists. Does he bring Mainoo back for his technical ability, or stay with the physical presence of the Casemiro-Ugarte duo?
Honestly, it’s a good problem to have. For the first time in a year, United fans aren't dreading the team sheet announcement. They have a blueprint that works.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Watch the pivot: Keep an eye on whether Carrick sticks with two defensive midfielders against lower-table teams. He might swap Casemiro for Mainoo to improve ball progression.
- Dorgu’s role: Patrick Dorgu is the X-factor. His versatility allows United to switch from a 4-2-3-1 to a 3-5-2 mid-game without making a substitution.
- Transfer window: Don't expect big arrivals. The club has signaled a "quiet" January to focus on stability under Carrick. The "secret" midfielder talk is likely just smoke and mirrors for a short-term loan.
- Injury monitoring: Follow the updates on De Ligt. If he stays out longer, United might actually need to look for defensive cover, despite the official "no transfers" stance.