Manchester United recorded an absolutely stunning win as Michael Carrick’s men defeated Man City at Old Trafford in a fireworks Premier League display.
Michael Carrick chose to start Bryan Mbeumo and Amad while benching Benjamin Šeško as Manchester United lined up to face Man City in the 198th Manchester derby during a Premier League clash on Saturday afternoon.
The tie started with United pressing City up high, with several nervy moments from the visitors a good sign for Carrick and his men. Good chances fell the way of Bryan Mbeumo and Harry Maguire, who hit the bar in the opening minutes, although they couldn’t convert.
Amad and Bruno Fernandes both had the ball in the back of the net before half-time, but both were offside in what was a dominant first-half for United. In the second half, a stunning chance fell the way of Casemiro 10 early on, but he was brilliantly denied by Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Not too long after, the same fate befell Mbeumo. However, he made up for his error just minutes later, handing United a lead on 65 minutes with a slick finish. Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu then added a second ten minutes later, supplied by substitute Matheus Cunha, to secure a 2-0 win.
#1 – Carrick’s set-up getting the best out of players
While Carrick’s Reds set up in a 4-2-3-1 as expected, Fernandes pushed unbelievably high up the field, almost as a second striker, as the Reds rested in a 4-4-2 at times. This allowed Mbeumo and Amad to focus on forward runs, while Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo had excellent support in midfield.
In the first half, almost every player in Red looked mint. The likes of Fernandes and Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu in attack were in flow-state, surrounded by players, while Casemiro and Mainoo were brilliant at breaking up play.
The second half continued very much in the way of the first. Carrick continued to ask his Reds to dig deep and rely on their talent, with
#2 – The returns of Amad and Mbeumo helped intensity
With Amad and Mbeumo back from the Africa Cup of Nations, United’s intensity in the first half was infinitely better than what the club have ben dispalying for the last month.
Their connection had been growing tenfold before heading to AFCON, and against City, it seemed to be back without skipping a beat as they interchanged between each other at striker and right wing for the first 45 minutes.
In the second half, they kept their levels, and having knocked on Donnarumma’s door so often, Mbeumo secured the reward, moving the needle for United alongside Amad.
#3 – United took the necessary risks
When the line-up was announced, it was clear that Carrick was going for pace, power, and transitional threat, but the additions of Mainoo and Maguire showed that he also wanted a side on the front foot.
Too often this season, it’s felt as if United have been passive, hesitant, and second-guessing themselves, but against City, they played to their instincts.
Even in the final minutes, they didn’t try to keep the ball in the corner flag, but went for the kill, forcing them back and not allowing City any sort of momentum. What a performance.
#4 – Fernandes further forward, who would have thought
After 14 months of watching Fernandes sat in the middle third of the pitch, seeing the United captain further forward was beyond refreshing.
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Not only was he hugely influential with the ball at his feet, but having him simply occupy more space in the final third made United much more confident in attack.
He was seen to be coaching the side, dictating their actions, topping it off with his assist.
#5 – The all-time best start to a managerial period?
Two goals, a clean sheet, three goals ruled out for offside, hitting the woodwork twice, and three points. That may be one of the best starts any manager has ever had.
After what has been one of the most shocking 14-month periods in the club’s history under Rúben Amorim, a 2-0 win over City in the manner that it happened was absolutely perfect.
It’s hard to recall another manager, either at United or any other club, having such a perfect first result in his first game in charge, particularly in mid-season.
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