Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Michael Carrick and Wayne Rooney touched on a similar theme from Manchester United’s setback against Manchester City at Old Trafford on Sunday evening.
The Red Devils fell short against Manchester City after Enzo Maresca’s men were reduced to 10 men in the first half of the Premier League fixture at the weekend.
Phil Foden was sent off for Man City after his clash with Bruno Fernandes, but Michael Carrick’s men were unable to capitalise on their opportunity at Old Trafford.
Enzo Maresca’s side came out on top instead after Erling Haaland fired Man City into the lead and Manchester United’s rivals successfully defended their 1-0 lead.
READ MORE: Roy Keane cannot unsee Man Utd’s ‘constant problem’ under Michael Carrick after 1-0 Man City defeat
TV pundit and former footballer Wayne Rooney looks on before the UEFA Champions League quarter final, second-leg football match between Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on April 14, 2026.
Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images
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Michael Carrick thinks Man Utd outperformed Man City in the early part of the second half
Manchester United did play well against Manchester City at different intervals in Sunday’s 1-0 defeat, including during the early period of the second half in the tie.
Kobbie Mainoo was unfortunate not to fire United into the lead over Man City at Old Trafford after the England midfielder’s long-range effort was denied by the post.
Speaking after the first Manchester derby of the season, Michael Carrick has now suggested that United looked ‘better’ than City before Erling Haaland scored.
“I thought we had a fair bit of the initiative, especially [in the] second half. Coming out [of the] second half before they scored, I thought we were better,” he said at his post-match press conference, as per Manchester United’s official website.
“I thought we could improve on the second half of the first half. I thought we came out after half-time and built momentum, hit the post and the game was building the way we wanted it to at that point. Then the goal obviously has a big impact.
“We could have finished the game better; we could have been a little bit more creative.
“We could have finished the game better, for sure. But yeah, I thought we’d started the second half okay.”
READ MORE: Gary Neville says Michael Carrick can be ‘angry,’ despite ‘quite clear’ mistake Man Utd boss made vs Man City
Wayne Rooney spotlights Man Utd’s strong first half in the 1-0 Premier League defeat to Man City
United showed signs of momentum towards the tail end of the first half against Man City, including Marcus Rashford hitting the post from a superb free-kick strike.
Wayne Rooney felt that Man Utd were stronger than City in the final period of the opening 45 minutes before the Red Devils lacked “quality” in the second half.
“I thought Manchester United were the better team and dominated City up until half-time, but they gave away too many free-kicks and allowed the game to be slowed down, which suited City perfectly,” he told BBC Sport.
“Once City got their goal, they managed the game brilliantly and United just couldn’t find enough quality, especially in the final third.
“Erling Haaland’s goal should not have stood; it was offside, but as soon as City went ahead they used all their nous and game management to frustrate United.
“They restricted them to pretty much one chance and didn’t look in any danger at all.”
United will now face Brighton in the League Cup at Old Trafford on Wednesday before travelling away to face Fulham in the Premier League on Sunday.