Manchester United got their Michael Carrick era off to a flyer after beating Pep Guardiola's Manchester City 2–0 thanks to goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu. Fans, in the aftermath of their derby delight, believe one player is worthy of an apology.
From start to finish, Carrick's men were on top of the highly-anticipated Manchester derby and tensions rose after a series of chances went abegging. Harry Maguire's header crashed off the crossbar, and they had two goals chalked off for offside in the first half.
Mbeumo, returning from the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) and was placed back into club proceedings, opened the scoring in the 65th minute and Dorgu then added a second, getting infront of Rico Lewis and doubling the home side's lead 11 minutes later.
Man Utd Fans Believe One Player, Who Shone vs Man City, Needs An Apology
Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick before facing Stoke City
There were a handful of players at Old Trafford who covered themselves in glory in the infancy of the post-Ruben Amorim era: Kobbie Mainoo, on his first Premier League start of the season, impressed and Bruno Fernandes (in his natural position, behind the striker) was back to his creative best. Dorgu, too, played well on the left flank.
As free-flowing as they were when crashing forward, United also looked defensively sound – something that has not always been the case since their curtain-raising loss against Arsenal in August.
Lisandro Martinez was at the heart of their defensive brilliance and that came after Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes, alongside comedian Paddy McGuinness on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, were previewing the match and called out the Argentine, who was signed from Ajax in the summer of 2022.
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Referring to the size difference between the centre-back and Erling Haaland, the two Old Trafford legends believed he would struggle against the Norwegian talisman. Butt, kicking off the conversation, said: "Haaland would pick (Lisandro) Martinez up and run with him."
"It would be like you know when you see a dad at school, running down the road with a little toddler," before Scholes got involved in the discourse. He said: "He'd score then throw him in the net."
It would be hard to remiss that Martinez, 27, isn't one of United's best-performing defenders when fit. Able to break the lines while covering the spaces behind the back four, the Argentina international put in a display worthy of an apology.
Fans have picked up on their claims following a resounding win on home soil. "Lisandro Martinez. That's it. That's the tweet," one fan said on X (formerly Twitter), before another added that their comments were 'daft'. "Are people going to criticise Martinez now? Daft comments were made. Once again showed his level. Elite."
lisandro martinez erling haaland
"Someone clip me that moment of Martinez bullying Haaland. Need Nicky Butt to see it," another fan said as another added that Martinez, once again, enjoyed his tussle with the City striker. "Haaland in Martinez's pocket once again – every single time."
"Scholes and Butt owe Lisandro Martinez an apology. Laughed at him before the game but he was immense, kept a clean sheet and kept Erling Haaland so quiet he finished the game on the bench."
In response to the clip of the two United legends slating the ex-Ajax man, another wrote: "I can't wait for the show this week, lads. You best start writing Lisandro Martinez an apology, he can watch it while he's taking Erling Haaland out of his pocket."
Table-Topping Arsenal Next: A Terrific Start to Carrick's Old Trafford Reign
michael carrick bruno fernandes
Although Carrick – a club legend given how many trophies he won as a player – has only been appointed as United's custodian until the end of the 2025/26 campaign, that doesn't mean he hasn't got a clear objective in mind. Securing top four credentials will be the primary aim for the 44-year-old, who has previously managed Middlesbrough.
Old Trafford bosses have made it clear that Carrick will not be extending his stay beyond the summer and that a permanent replacement for Amorim will be in the hotseat from that point onward.
Man Utd – Next Five Fixtures
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Up next for the player-turned-manager is a test against the Premier League's table-toppers, Arsenal. The Gunners looked primed to be crowned champions come May, but Carrick will be looking to upset the party now that United are whiskers away – one point – behind Arne Slot's Liverpool, who currently occupy fourth spot after 22 matches.