Michael Carrick certainly made his stamp on this Manchester United side during his first match as interim head coach.
Despite Ole Gunnar Solskjaer initially being the favourite for the job, Manchester United confirmed that it would be Michael Carrick taking charge of the side for the remainder of the 2025/26 season.
Carrick has 17 games in charge, and his start couldn’t have been much more challenging than Manchester City at home and Arsenal away.
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But United beat City 2-0 in emphatic fashion on Sunday afternoon to get the Carrick era off to a flying start.
Understandably, Carrick was ‘proud’ of that performance, and he got a glowing review from United legend Wayne Rooney after the full-time whistle.
Michael Carrick embraces Pep Guardiola
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Wayne Rooney piles praise on Michael Carrick impact
United fans had a rough idea of Carrick’s style of play heading into the derby, but supporters were blown away by what they saw.
A return to a 4-2-3-1 formation was expected, but the performance that followed was simply sensational.
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Speaking on BBC Match of the Day, Rooney said: “You hear everyone, especially us as ex-players, talk about the United DNA and that has just shown what it is.
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“Work rate off the ball, wingers getting back and filling in and helping out the full-backs.
“And the goals; crosses in the box and desire to get on the end of it. The first goal, counter-attack, sitting in and breaking fast – that is the United DNA, and that was what we’ve been missing. And hopefully this continues.”
Rooney highlighted Carrick’s impact on wingers, crosses into the box and a counter-attacking style of play. All three were pivotal to United getting the three points.
Michael Carrick showed shades of Sir Alex Ferguson vs Man City
From the very first minute of the match, United showed intensity and aggression in every action across the pitch. It was clear that Carrick had fired up the players, and they responded brilliantly.
Carrick outclassed Pep Guardiola which is certainly no mean feat. City were second best across every department, and United should have won by more.
As pointed out by Rooney, United returned to a system with traditional wingers, with Patrick Dorgu starring on the left flank as a left-footed player.
READ MORE: Benjamin Sesko became odd man out vs Man City but what Carrick did with him at full-time was crucial
United also flooded players forward at every possible opportunity, and it was far too much to handle.
Carrick’s in-game management was impressive, and it certainly gives him a strong foundation to build on with a trip to Arsenal up next.
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