A second half one-two from Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu gave Michael Carrick the perfect start to his stint in the Manchester United hotseat as the Red Devils clinched a statement victory over City in the derby.United started like a house on fire and should have taken the lead through Harry Maguire, who could only head against the crossbar from yards out after just three minutes. More chances came for both sides, including a disallowed goal for Amad, before Bruno Fernandes’ fine fun and composed finish was chalked off by the officials, the Portugal international offside by a toe.Gianluigi Donnarumma produced a world-class double save minutes into the second half to thwart Amad and Casemiro in quick succession, but Mbeumo did find a way to beat the imperious Italian with a fine low strike just after the hour mark.
Dorgu, impressive again in a more attacking role, made the result safe in the 76th minute to clinch the bragging rights on for the red half of Manchester on a derby day they will remember for quite some time.
A Manchester derby was billed as somewhat of a baptism of fire for Manchester United’s new head coach, but it was the hosts who looked the most dangerous in the first half. Maguire’s point-blank header ballooned back off the bar in the early minutes and there were further golden chances for Mbeumo and Amad before the latter and Bruno Fernandes both saw goals chalked off for VAR.
United had the better chances in both halves and were good value for their goal when it finally arrived courtesy of Mbeumo. Dorgu made it comfortable not long after to lift the roof from Old Trafford and was no less than United deserved.
This was a statement win for United and Carrick, who could hardly have dreamt of a better start. Nobody will be getting carried away off the back of one 90 minutes. But how United acquitted themselves against a City side many expect to go on and reclaim the Premier League title is definitely cause for optimism.
United had the better chances in both halves and were good value for their goal when it finally arrived courtesy of Mbeumo. Dorgu made it comfortable not long after to lift the roof from Old Trafford and was no less than United deserved.
This was a statement win for United and Carrick, who could hardly have dreamt of a better start. Nobody will be getting carried away off the back of one 90 minutes. But how United acquitted themselves against a City side many expect to go on and reclaim the Premier League title is definitely cause for optimism.
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