Michael Carrick got his Man Utd tenure off to a dream start by besting Pep Guardiola, and Phil Foden would say he’s not exactly shocked.
It was a throwback to the days of an elite Man Utd, which attacks with pace, verticality, and purpose, as Man City were left dazed.
The 2-0 win didn’t do justice to the game, as United could have easily scored at least five, to put it kindly, were it not for their wastefulness and some bad luck.
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Pep Guardiola looked like he had no answer for United slicing through his side repeatedly, and it ensured Phil Foden’s pre-game fear came true.
Manchester United Head Coach / Manager Michael Carrick reacts with Matheus Cunha of Manchester United at the end of the Premier League match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on January 17, 2026
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Pep Guardiola’s half-time changes were a nod to Michael Carrick
Generally, a manager doesn’t make half-time subs if he’s happy with how things are going, or if he sees good things that will eventually translate into a positive result.
Neither was the case for City against United, forcing Guardiola into making two half-time subs, effectively admitting to being tactically bested by a manager who’s been in the job for three days.
Carrick’s style of play has a lot to do with building up from the back, which is why Guardiola played an extremely aggressive formation, sacrificing solidity for skill.
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However, Carrick completely switched it up, playing a fluid front four consisting of three rapid runners and Bruno Fernandes pulling the strings behind them.
This forced Guardiola to bring on Nico O’Reilly and Rayan Cherki in place of Phil Foden and Max Alleyne.
Foden wasn’t being given any space between the lines, and United’s rapid attackers were unsettling Alleyne by playing balls in behind.
Neither Cherki nor O’Reilly made much of a difference, but Guardiola was forced into these changes by Carrick’s approach, something which Foden predicted.
Phil Foden predicted Man City’s difficulties due to Carrick
When City were caught cold due to United’s approach, it surprised many, but it’s something Foden feared might happen.
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What did Michael Carrick get right?
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In the lead-up to the game, Foden was asked about how Carrick being in charge changes things for City, and he floated the idea of being surprised by United’s approach.
He said: “It makes it more difficult because we don’t really know a lot about him and what he does, so it’s going to be hard to prepare for the game and know exactly how they’re going to set up, so I feel like sometimes we’re going to have to find a solution ourselves on the pitch and maybe get together if things are not going right. So, yeah, it’s just about adapting and trying to plan the best we can for the game.”
As it turned out, City had no idea how Carrick would set up, they struggled to find solutions for themselves on the pitch, and couldn’t adapt and plan for the game.
It is to Carrick’s immense credit that he switched his approach to suit his players for this game, because it caught Guardiola off guard.
That flexibility in approach will pay dividends for him wherever he continues his managerial career.
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