The first game under new head coach Michael Carrick saw Manchester United not only give a better performance but a swagger from the players, who completed a sensational derby day win over our local rivals Manchester City yesterday lunchtime.
Second half goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu sealed all three points on a memorable afternoon for the Reds.
Michael Carrick had set the team in the formation of 4-2-3-1 like it was under Darren Fletcher, who was in temporary charge for the last two games. It saw Mbeumo who had returned from AFCON to lead the line with Bruno Fernandes back in his favoured number 10 role.
Amad and Patrick Dorgu were occupying the wings. Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo were the midfield duo backing up the attack. The backline consisted of Luke Shaw, Diogo Dalot, Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire shielding anything coming towards Senne Lammens goal.
Two first half disallowed goalS as United take the game to City
The match started at a fast pace as Harry Maguire came close within three minutes when his close range header from Bruno Fernandes corner struck the bar before being cleared away from the goal.
The opposition began to retain possession of the ball and opened up their own opportunity when Antoine Semenyo put a cross in from the right that saw Bernando Silva directing his header over into the Stretford End.
United kept up the intensity throughout the opening 20 minutes as both Luke Shaw and Diogo Dalot were booked for their challenges on Jeremy Doku and Rhodri respectively. Dalot’s tackle was checked and confirmed by VAR to not be reckless as Craig Pawson deeming it as glancing and not excessive force being used.
The attacks kept coming from the Reds as Fernandes’ ball over the top was picked out by Dorgu, whose angled effort was saved by Donnarumma. We thought we had made the breakthrough when Amad was put through on goal, rounding the City goalkeeper to slot the ball home. However, linesman Gary Beswick lifted his flag up for offside to halt the players and fans celebrations, which was then confirmed by VAR.
City then produced their own moment on our goal as Senne Lammens was called into action as he pushed away Alleyne’s header from a corner. United again thought they had gone ahead when Fernandes was played in by Lisandro Martinez’s ball rounding the keeper and putting the ball into the net. The flag was again raised for offside as we headed into half time break level on terms.
Mbeumo and Dorgu fire United to victory
United continued where they left off in the second half encouraged by the febrile Old Trafford faithful as Amad cut in from the right forcing Donnarumma into the save, who then went on to deny Casemiro from the rebound.
More opportunities came the way of the Reds as Bryan Mbeumo half volley within the box was again saved by the City goalkeeper. We were not to be denied in the 65th minute, when a counter attack saw Fernandes run forward with Amad on the right and Mbeumo on the left. As Bruno entered the final third of the pitch played the ball into the path of Mbeumo to fire the ball past Donnarumma to make it 1-0 to United to the delight of those inside the stadium.
With the goal advantage, United were looking to push for another one. Michael Carrick brought on Matheus Cunha for the last 20 minutes and made an instant impact by running into the channel on the right. He then played a superb ball across the six yard box as Patrick Dorgu came in front of Rico Lewis to cushion the ball into net for the Reds second of the game.
Minutes later, we could have had a third to our name with Amad breaching the City defence only for his effort to strike the post. Mason Mount thought he had added that third in stoppage time but again VAR checked and deemed it offside. The Reds closed the game out to secure three points and the bragging rights on derby day.
Player Ratings & MOTM
Senne Lammens – 7.5. Didn’t have much to do in the game besides clearing one opportunity in the first half.
Diogo Dalot – 6.5. Could have potentially been sent off within the first ten minutes after his challenge on Doku. Had some frustrating moments during the first half but grew into the game.
Harry Maguire – 8. A rock at the back alongside Martinez. Would have been disappointed not to have scored early on to give United the lead.
Lisandro Martinez – 8.5. Always reacting and getting to the ball first, blocking Haaland as he was about to pounce.
Luke Shaw – 8. Kept Semenyo quiet, which would have been a task in itself. Aggressive in his play to combat Haaland and Rhodri.
Casemiro – 8. A performance from a big player that was needed in this game. Broke up any potential City attacks. Should have scored too.
Kobbie Mainoo – 8. Industrious throughout and showed quality to take on the City players, played risky passes and was not afraid to get stuck in
Bruno Fernandes – 8. Another fantastic display from our Portuguese Magnifico as he set the tone for the team and their performance. The engine that was behind all of United’s best attacks. Unlucky that his goal was ruled out for offside.
Amad – 8.5. Gave nightmares to Ake in the first half and then O’Reilly in the second. A constant thorn in the opposition.
Bryan Mbeumo- 8.5 & MOTM. Brilliant finish when United were countering on the attack to get the all important first goal. Dangerous throughout and solid defensively.
Patrick Dorgu – 8.5. Another strong performance in the attacking role. Sealed the derby win with the second of the game.
Subs:
Matheus Cunha – 7. Lively when he came on and provided the assist for Dorgu to fire home.
Manuel Ugarte – n/a.
Ayden Heaven – n/a.
Mason Mount – n/a.
Looking ahead
After an impressive first win under Michael Carrick, the next task will be Arsenal away next Sunday at the Emirates.
Given the brilliant performance yesterday, expectations will be high against an Arsenal team who dropped points to struggling Nottingham Forest yesterday.
There is no reason Carrick’s Reds can’t take the game to the league leaders and leave North London sith a result
