Michael Carrick was credited with bravery for his decision-making as Manchester United won the 198th Manchester derby, with players performing at a higher standard to give the newly appointed head coach a selection headache.
With just three days to work with the players after being appointed Manchester United head coach until the end of the season, Michael Carrick and his backroom staff got off to a flying start at Old Trafford.
United beat Man City 2-0 thanks to goals from Bryan Mbeumo, who had just returned from AFCON, and Patrick Dorgu.
Although Darren Fletcher played with a back four in his two games as caretaker head coach, Carrick’s return signalled the end of United’s back-three nightmare.
The changes made by Carrick include partnering Harry Maguire with Lisandro Martinez at centre-back, Kobbie Mainoo making his first Premier League start of the season, Dorgu getting the nod ahead of Matheus Cunha on the left flank, and Mbeumo leading the line instead of Benjamin Sesko.
Michael Carrick is off to the PERFECT START at Man Utd, and he wants more!
Why do you think it went SO RIGHT for Carrick against City?
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All of these decisions paid off. Maguire and Martinez were solid at the back. Mainoo thrived in the middle alongside Casemiro. Dorgu scored the winning goal, which was assisted by substitute Cunha, 11 minutes after Mbeumo opened the scoring in the second half.
Carrick is now tasked with making the right calls against Premier League leaders. The temporary head coach managed to beat Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side during his previous role as United’s interim manager in 2021.
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Michael Carrick faces attacking dilemma against Arsenal
One of the biggest TalkingPoints on United In Focus this week saw United fans giving their opinions on who should start in attack against Arsenal.
The debate has centred on United’s front three following a two-goal performance and clean sheet against City.
Some fans are keen on United sticking with the front three that started in the Derby.
One wrote: “If they want to win… Dorgu-Mbeumo-Amad, then (Mount, Cunha, Lacey)”
Another added: “Let’s go with what we had against City.”
A third message read: “I would go with what worked vs City. None of them deserve to be dropped, so Dorgu, Mbeumo, Amad.”
But not everybody is in agreement, possibly due to the wide variance of options and the different type of game that Arsenal will provide.
“Plan A is Diallo, Mbeumo and Sesko,” wrote one, expecting Dorgu to drop to the bench.
But it is Matheus Cunha who has a swell of support behind hm after his excellent cameo against City, where he provided an assist, and had another ruled out.
“Amad Mbeumo Cunha,” read one response, with another mixing it up, picking: “Mbeumo, Cunha, Mount.”
“Amad on the right, Cunha on the left and Mbeumo down the middle Arsenal have a brilliant defense. Having them 3 running at them will cause them a lot of problems,” added another fan.
A further comment read: “Front 3 of Amad, Bruno, and Cunha.”
Michael Carrick has until he names his team sheet on Sunday to make a decision. Perhaps he has already made up his mind. But if he hasn’t, there is clearly lots to consider.
What should be Manchester United’s front three against Arsenal?
Only three can start…. who are you picking?
Pick your front three
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