Manchester United vs Manchester City: Carrick humiliates Pep to claim first win as interim boss

Interim boss Michael Carrick secured his first win as Manchester United head coach on the grandest occasion possible, beating Peo Guardiola's Manchester City 2-0.

Second half goals from AFCON returnee Bryan Mbeumo, as well as Patrick Dorgu ensured a comfortable first Manchester Derby for Carrick as he auditions for the Manchester United job on a permanent basis, despite a late Mason Mount goal being ruled out.

Manchester United delivered an impressive performance to mark the first win of Michael Carrick’s reign, producing a high-intensity display to beat Manchester City despite the visitors’ superior possession and recent dominance.

The atmosphere at Old Trafford was electric, and United fed off the crowd’s energy from the opening whistle, almost scoring inside three minutes when Harry Maguire’s header struck the post.

United continued to threaten before the break, with Gianluigi Donnarumma forced into several saves, while goals from Amad Diallo and Bruno Fernandes were ruled out for offside.

City controlled the ball but struggled to create clear chances, with their only notable effort in the first half coming from a Max Alleyne header that was comfortably dealt with.

The second half began quietly before Donnarumma again became City’s standout performer, denying Amad, Casemiro, and Bryan Mbeumo in quick succession.

United’s pressure finally told in the 65th minute when Fernandes led a counter-attack and teed up Mbeumo, who finished clinically.

City failed to respond, looking lethargic and unable to involve Erling Haaland, and United doubled their lead when Patrick Dorgu finished Matheus Cunha’s cross via the post. A late offside denied United a third, but the win lifts them provisionally into the top four, while City’s title challenge suffers another damaging blow.