Man Utd Punish Man City In Carrick’s First Game

Photo by Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images

Manchester United secured the bragging rights in the Manchester derby after defeating Manchester City 2-0 on Saturday afternoon.

Premier League

Result: Manchester United 2-0 Manchester City

Date: 17 January 2026

Venue: Old Trafford

Michael Carrick was boosted by the return of Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo from the Africa Cup of Nations as they came in to replace Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko, while City gave a league debut to Antoine Semenyo following his appearances in the cups over the last two games.

United made a lively start to the clash compared to City, who were guilty of making a couple errors in the opening 10 minutes, none of which were punished although the returning Harry Maguire did go close for the host with a header from point-blank range that hit the crossbar.

While City continued to dominate the possession as the fist half went on, the home side had the ball in the back of the net in the 33rd minute when Bruno Fernandes played in Amad, who rounded Gianluigi Donnarumma and scored, however the celebrations were cut short due to the offside flag going up.

Pep Guardiola’s men did have a good chance in the final 10 minutes as defender Max Alleyne saw his header saved by United goalkeeper Senne Lammens, while United had another goal disallowed minutes later when Fernandes found the back of the net with a composed finish.

Guardiola responded with a double change at the start of the second half, as Phil Foden and Alleyne made way for Rayan Cherki and Nico O’Reilly.

It was the home side who continued to create the better chances in the second period but Donnarumma was in fine form between the sticks by pulling off two superb saves to deny both Casemiro and Bryan Mbeumo.

The Red Devils would go on to get the opening goal in the 64th minute when a swift counter-attack ended with Fernandes playing in Mbuemo, who needed no second invitation to fire into the far corner for his seventh league goal of the campaign.

The lead was doubled with 15 minutes left on the clock as substitute Cunha raced to the byline before sending a ball into the box, where Patrick Dorgu surged into the six-yard area and fired into the far corner for his second goal for the club.

United had the ball in the back of the net for a third time in second half through Mason Mount’s close-range strike, however the goal was ruled out by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) for offside on Cunha, as the two goals were enough to secure maximum points.

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