Diogo Dalot's challenge on Jeremy Doku was a talking point as Manchester United beat local rivals City 2-0 in their first game under new manager Michael Carrick
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 17: Josep 'Pep' Guardiola, head coach of Manchester City, looks dejected after the Premier League match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on January 17, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Pep Guardiola was in no doubt(Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
View 2 Images
A solemn Pep Guardiola was forced to admit that Manchester United deserved to win Saturday's derby - and refused to blame VAR for City's loss. United ran out 2-0 winners at Old Trafford, as the hosts started Michael Carrick's reign as manager with a bang.
Guardiola's side were underwhelming and have now gone four Premier League games without a win. Second-half from Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu made the difference, although the margin of victory could've been much higher.
The game could've also been changed by an early refereeing decision. Diogo Dalot was shown a yellow card by Anthony Taylor for a foul on Jeremy Doku in the opening stages, and replays showed that he'd made contact high on the City winger's leg with his studs.
However, VAR ruled the contact to have been 'glancing' and without 'excessive force'. The United right-back was allowed to continue and helped the Red Devils to a stunning victory.
Guardiola felt that the result was fair, confessing to Sky Sports post-match: "The better team won. They were better. When a team is better you have to accept it. They had the energy we didn't have, so congratulations.
"They had the chances at the end and of course the goals we conceded were poor. We didn't control, but in general we can't talk about this action or that action. We have the duty to analyse the game in general and they were better."
On the decision not to send Dalot off, Guardiola added: "You could say that, you could say that red card, different game. Many, many situations happen.
"It is easy for me to come here and say it should be a red card. It is not about that, we will not grow up if that is the argument to win or lose a game. You have to do better and we didn't today."
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 17: Diogo Dalot of Manchester United receives a yellow card from Referee Anthony Taylor during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on January 17, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Diogo Dalot escaped a sending off(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
View 2 Images
City midfielder Bernardo Silva echoed his boss' comments on the potential red card by saying: "After a day like today, I don't think we have any excuses. It was a really bad performance from us. I saw the challenge, it is what it is.
"This season the 50-50 decisions all go against us. They all go for our rivals. At the end of the day this was not the reason. I watched the clip it is a red card."
Content Image
Content Image