Woeful Man Utd have no excuses, Carrick is under big pressure

Woeful Man Utd have no excuses, Carrick is under big pressure Jump to content

UK News Website of the Year 2024

* News
* Donald Trump
* Israel
* Ukraine
* Royals
* Sports
* Opinion
* Travel
* Health
* Life
* Entertainment
* Puzzles
* Business

*

Subscribe now

Log in

See all Sports

* Soccer
* Golf
* F1
* Tennis
* Boxing
* Women's Sport

Woeful Man Utd have no excuses, Carrick is under big pressure

Last updated

13 September 2026 8:53pm BST

This feature is available for registered users. Please register or log in to continue

RegisterLog in

Log inor

Subscribe

* Copy link
* twitter
* facebook
* whatsapp
* email

Add us as preferred source

Add us as preferred source

!Just four points from four games means that the pressure is already beginning to mount on Michael Carrick

*Just four points from four games means that the pressure is already beginning to mount on Michael Carrick

Credit

: Getty Images/Carl Recine*

Jason Burt.

James Duckerat Old Trafford.

Daniel Zeqirilive updates

Last updated

13 September 2026 8:53pm BST

This feature is available for registered users. Please register or log in to continue

RegisterLog in

Log inor

Subscribe

* Copy link
* twitter
* facebook
* whatsapp
* email

Add us as preferred source

Add us as preferred source

This was a kick in the midriff for Manchester United. Not once. But twice. And, then, most painfully, a third time with a dismal, dispiriting defeat.

They profited from the first one with Phil Foden sent off after hitting out at Bruno Fernandes – in retaliation – after he was booted in the backside by the United captain who somehow went unpunished.

But then City played three quarters of this 199th Manchester derby with just 10 men and came out on top with the inevitable and outstanding Erling Haaland scoring his ninth goal against United to become the top scorer in Premier League meetings between these rivals. And that was a far more painful and damaging blow.

> Erling Haaland has put Manchester City ahead in the derby after a VAR check ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/V0DCwryhFy
>
> — Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 13, 2026

On a day in which thousands of fans protested, accusing co-owners Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazers – with Avram Glazer joining Ratcliffe in attendance – of treating them like “s---”, United unfortunately left a nasty whiff of being just that out on the pitch.

United were frankly, woeful. They lacked belief and imagination and attacking instinct and too many of their players – their apparent big players – went missing when they needed to stand up and take the game by the scruff of the neck. They could not break down City’s defence and failed to be a front-foot team who can dominate the ball. Which is surely what they aspire to be?

They hit the post twice – through Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo – with efforts from 25 yards. And those two local lads were by far their best players. Without them, United carried so little threat, were so blunt, that it was shocking.

The question for Michael Carrick, the Manchester United head coach, is simple: what is he trying to do with this team? Can they only ever depend on counter-attacks?

!Marcus Rashford hitting the post was a sorry highlight for this toothless Man Utd team

*Marcus Rashford hitting the post was a sorry highlight for this toothless Man Utd team

Credit

: Reuters/Jason Cairnduff*

Afterwards Haaland talked about City’s “personality, character” and that was exactly what United lacked. They did not adapt a tactical plan to combat 10-man City’s desire to keep their wingers high and wide, and break with intent and still try and attack.

It was telling that so little did City’s new head coach Enzo Maresca worry about United that he did not add a defensive player, and when he took off Rayan Cherki at half-time, he replaced him with the equally creative Iliman Ndiaye who impressed. Maresca knew United needed space to run in behind and denied them that. It was that simple.

City also struck the post with United goalkeeper Senne Lammens tipping an Enzo Fernández shot against the frame of the goal, and the visitors were worthy winners as they preserved their perfect start to the season to draw level on points with leaders, Arsenal.

City handled the occasion and the – admittedly toothless – opposition superbly under their new head coach and will clearly be Arsenal’s closest challengers this season.

Maresca delivered a masterclass. For Carrick? This was a disasterclass. An object lesson in how not to use a man-advantage. And now United will have to endure even more City songs after being outplayed at home like this.

Was it complacency? Was it inability? Was it a damning lack of courage, confidence, belief even? On the pitch and in the dugout United were far too passive. This was not how a big team plays and Carrick needs to wake up.

The former midfielder did so well last season to guide United into Champions League qualification but so far this campaign he has given the impression that his job is done. Rather than that the real work starts now.

!Calm Enzo Maresca and disappointed Carrick cut contrasting figures at Old Trafford

*Calm Enzo Maresca and disappointed Carrick cut contrasting figures at Old Trafford

Credit

: Getty Images/Shaun Brooks*

There was controversy around the red card and the goal. There is no doubt Foden had to go. But what about Fernandes? He clearly kicked Foden as he was on the ground with the midfielder reacting instinctively, two-footing him in the gut.

It meant he became the first City player to be dismissed in a Manchester derby in the league since Bernardo Corradi in December 2006 and will be punished with a three-match ban for violent conduct.

To make matters worse for Foden, who missed out on the World Cup, it happened in front of Thomas Tuchel who names his England squad for the Nations League campaign on Friday.

> Phil Foden is SENT OFF in the Manchester derby! 🟥 pic.twitter.com/sDkHoLMnjL
>
> — Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 13, 2026

And the goal? Initially it was ruled out for offside as Haaland superbly turned in Josko Gvardiol’s cross beyond the far post – he made that tricky finish look routine. But after a lengthy VAR check that decision was overturned by referee Michael Oliver.

Patrick Dorgu had played Haaland onside but the issue then was whether Fernández had touched the ball as he tried to reach the cross. He had not. But even if he had not, surely he was impeding Lisandro Martínez’s attempt to clear? He was certainly in the defender’s line of vision which fits the criteria for the offside to be given as it interfered with an opponent.

United can understandably complain but they can have no excuse. The pressure, already, will be beginning to mount on Carrick with just four points from four league games and down in 13th place. With a Carabao Cup tie at home to Brighton in midweek and a trip to Fulham next Sunday before the international break, he needs wins.