Michael Carrick's interim stint is off to perfect start with midfielders Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo repeatedly unlocking Pep Guardiola's shell-shocked defence
_**Man Utd 2-0 Man City** (Mbeumo 65′, Dorgu 76′)_
OLD TRAFFORD — Michael Carrick, where do you want the statue? Your sheep can now graze in Stretford anywhere you like. That six-year deal will be on the table on Monday morning, sharp.
Manchester United will, hopefully for their long-suffering supporters, never make that mistake again. The start for the 12th coach, temporary or permanent, to be charged with raising this sleeping giant from its slumber, could, however, not have gone any better.
All it took was correcting the two biggest errors of judgement an intransigent Ruben Amorim continued to make during his ill-fated tenure to turn things around.
In a way, there was something incredibly admirable about Amorim’s stoicism, what he was trying to do. He had his way of playing, and given carte blanche to do what he wanted by the United overlords, he did everything he could to do things his way, having earned the right to do so.
There had to be some give, of which none was forthcoming. United’s greatest hopes, of the present and future, Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo, were the victims of that malady.
Bruno Fernandes ran the show against Man Utd (Photo: Getty)
For no longer. Back in his market-leading No 10 role, Fernandes did what he does best and steered a rudderless ship to victory. His classy deckhand Mainoo there to provide additional quality in midfield conspicuous by its absence entrenched in Amorim’s systems. Something Carrick knows plenty about.
The result was a potentially season-saving derby victory. Amazing what you can do when starting your best players, deployed in the most effective roles.
_More to follow._