It was derby day delight for Manchester United on Saturday lunchtime as goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu saw them pick up three points and a resounding 2-0 win over Manchester City. John Terry was impressed with one player in particular, claiming that he could be in with a chance of securing a spot at the 2026 World Cup.
Following a hodgepodge 14-month period under Ruben Amorim, Michael Carrick has been appointed on an interim basis and the former midfielder's spell has started with a bang. The home side had two first-half goals chalked off for offside, but Mbeumo's strike in the 65th minute was perfectly legal.
Much to the delight of the home contingent at Old Trafford, the 26-year-old Cameroonian's effort was swept past the outstretched arm of Gianluigi Donnarumma and Dorgu then joined the goalscoring party 11 minutes later, breaking ahead of City defender Rico Lewis and notching past the Italian shot stopper.
Terry Praises Man Utd For Derby Display, Singling Out One Player In Particular
john terry
From the rarely-tested Senne Lammens in goal to those who started across the front three – Amad, Mbeumo and Dorgu – there were many United players who covered themselves in glory. Carrick's brilliance, after just three days of training, is starting to show and Harry Maguire is among those who could benefit from the managerial change.
Having not played since November 8 (a 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur), the Englishman was tasked with keeping Erling Haaland quiet alongside Lisandro Martinez, who proved Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes wrong with an industrious performance. And the 32-year-old did just that.
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Scholes and Butt were worried that Martinez couldn't handle the threat of City striker Haaland.
Barely three minutes into the contest, Maguire rattled the crossbar from point-blank range but his defensive robustness, combined with his leadership qualities, proved useful in United's plans to thwart the Norwegian. Terry, following Dorgu's goal, took to social media to sing the praises of the ex-Hull City man.
"Wow, what a performance from Manchester United. The game's still not done, it's just gone 2-0. This is the Man United of old. Attacking, free-flowing football, pace up front," Terry began.
"Also, Man United are such a better team with Harry Maguire back in the squad today. Back playing, and I'm not sure if there's a more difficult game to come into – playing against the best striker in the world in Erling Haaland."
harry maguire
Terry, one of the best centre-backs in the history of the Premier League, then claimed that Maguire should firmly be in Thomas Tuchel's plans for this summer's World Cup. He's just so good in both boxes and so good on the ball as well. We saw him about ten minutes ago drive out with the ball, so comfortable with it. On this form, Harry Maguire has to be on the plane for the World Cup. You heard it here first!"
"But a massive performance from Man United today under Michael Carrick, who's gone for the full [Eric] Cantona with the collar up on his jacket. But so good to see Carrick get his opportunity as well, with Steve Holland working alongside him. Man United certainly look back to how they used to be," Terry concluded.
A true legend in Stamford Bridge circles, United fans have put any bad blood aside to commend the ex-defender for his non-biased comments. "Fair play to him, that was really decent of him. Amazing how a Blue can sum up United's true style of football in one sentence, and our recent manager hadn't a clue," one said as another added: "JT knows ball."
Should Tuchel Take Maguire to the 2026 World Cup?
harry maguire
A seasoned defender on the international stage, Maguire struck up a telepathic partnership with John Stones for England – and he's picked up 64 appearances between his debut in October 2017 and the present day. But does Terry have a point? Should he take up a spot on Tuchel's plane?
History suggests that he has the ability to perform at some of the biggest tournaments in the world, but whether he'd be starting ahead of Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa remains to be seen.
No longer at the apex of his powers given injuries and extended periods on the sidelines have begun to take a toll, Maguire would still be a decent option in terms of providing leadership on and off the pitch. He's a loveable character by all accounts and if there's space, it would be a wise choice.
Harry Maguire – England Career
Appearances
Debut
Age at Debut
Goals/Assists
Yellow/Red Cards
It would, of course, require him to feature regularly under Carrick between now and the end of the 2025/26 campaign, but that may be the case with Matthijs de Ligt still injured and Leny Yoro struggling somewhat of late. Maguire and Martinez could be the go-to partnership moving forward.
All statistics per Transfermarkt – correct as of 18/01/2026