Carrick concedes Man United ‘didn’t get to grips’ with man advantage in Manchester derby
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 13: A dejected looking Manchester United Manager Michael Carrick during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on September 13, 2026 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Brooks - CameraSport via Getty Images)
Michael Carrick commented on a 1-0 defeat for Manchester United on derby day.
The Red Devils smashed Sabah 4-0 in midweek in the Champions League, lifting the mood around a club that lost 2-0 to Hull City and drew 2-2 with Everton in their first three Premier League games.
Old Trafford was expectant, but the players produced another performance with room to work on.
‘We haven't got as many points as we wanted’
The dismissal of Phil Foden in the 23rd minute meant the hosts spent the majority of the match with an extra man. However, they did not capitalise sufficiently on that advantage, allowing the derby to be decided by a controversial Erling Haaland goal.
Carrick continues to believe in the quality of the group at his disposal, but he admits that four points from four matches is an underwhelming return.
Carrick's verdict on the derby
"It was a mixed [performance]. I think we were in good shape for a lot of the game and started the second half better than we ended the first half. It looked like something was about to happen and then they scored their goal.
“I don't really know where to start with that goal to be honest but that was a major part of how the game panned out in the end. For a decision to go like that against us is tough to take, I have to say.
“*[The red card] changes some of the details. We didn't probably get to grips with that well enough in the first half. You have to adapt and adjust. It put us in a good place we didn't get the most out of.*
"We did a lot of things well; it looked like we were growing well into the game. We looked dangerous. We'll take the positives from the game today and move on well, but we're not moving on lightly.
"We could have created more. That's an answer for us, but we could have. That's our second defeat at home now since I've been in charge, but we're a good team and we'll get back to winning ways.
Manchester United's Cameroonian midfielder #19 Bryan Mbeumo reacts after missing a goal scoring chance during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on September 13, 2026. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /
Manchester United's Cameroonian midfielder #19 Bryan Mbeumo reacts after missing a goal scoring chance during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on September 13, 2026. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /
Hopes for the season unchanged
"We will get there. I'm convinced of that. We haven't got as many points as we wanted and we should have. We've got to accept that and take that. There have been a couple of reasons for that and that's it.
“It doesn't change us moving forward and our hopes for the season and what we can achieve as a team. We've made really good strides over a period of time and we will continue to do that."