Chinazaekpere: What we learnt as God finally answers Man United's prayer in huge derby win

Michael Carrick’s era began with a tactical masterclass at Old Trafford, as a 2-0 victory over Manchester City signalled that the prayers of the Stretford End may finally have been heard.

They say football is a religion in Manchester, and on Saturday afternoon at Old Trafford, Manchester United fans witnessed what felt like a divine intervention. 

In a game defined by VAR heartbreak, defensive resilience, and a debutant manager's rope-a-dope brilliance, the Nigeria-inspired United secured a 2-0 win that will be remembered for years.

His name is Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu. In Igbo, his name translates to "God answers prayers." After a man of the match worthy display, capped off when he drove home the second goal and sealed the derby, it felt less like a coincidence and more like a prophecy.

Here are the four key takeaways from a historic afternoon at the Theatre of Dreams.

While Carrick’s tactical setup laid the foundation, it was Dorgu who provided the finality. Playing from start to finish on the left, Dorgu exploited a tired City backline, catching Rico Lewis napping to smash the ball into the roof of the net. 

It wasn't just a goal; it was the moment Old Trafford truly believed again. For a club that has spent millions searching for a "chosen one" on the flank, the answer might just lie in the 21-year-old with the name of a prayer.

After Pep Guardiola raised a concern heading into the game, Manchester City dominated 68% of the ball, but they looked utterly toothless against Carrick’s mid-block. 

Despite missing key defenders, United refused to break. Carrick opted for a fluid 4-2-3-1, utilising the explosive pace of AFCON returnees Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo.

While City passed in circles, United waited for the kill. The opening goal in the 65th minute was a textbook counter-attack: cleared by Maguire, orchestrated by Fernandes, and finished with ice-cold composure by Mbeumo. 

It was the most disciplined United performance, on and off the back in the Premier League in over two years.

The scoreline could have been even more embarrassing for the blue half of Manchester. United put the ball in the net five times on the day, with three goals (Amad, Fernandes, and Mount) ruled out by marginal VAR decisions.

The first half was a psychological test; most teams would have crumbled after having two goals chalked off in 40 minutes and seeing Harry Maguire's 3rd-minute header rattle the crossbar. 

Instead, United stayed the course, proving that the mentality under Carrick has shifted instantly.

If not for a world-class performance from City’s keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, United would have walked away with four or five. 

The Italian pulled off a stunning double-save to deny Casemiro and tipped an Amad shot onto the woodwork in the dying seconds. 

For City, the silver lining was their new number one; for United, the takeaway was that even a "world-class" keeper couldn't stop the red wave.

The win moves Manchester United into 4th place and leaves Pep Guardiola searching for answers after giving Arsenal the chance to go nine points clear at the top. 

For the first time in a long time, Manchester United and their faithful, the name Chinazaekpere has never felt more appropriate.