Michael Carrick doesn’t believe Manchester United’s 1-0 defeat to Manchester City will have any lasting effect on their season. He is right in one sense. One result, even a derby defeat at Old Trafford, shouldn’t decide where United finish in May.
But the performance raises a more immediate question: can this team turn decent spells into wins?
Michael Carrick was clearly frustrated by the way the game turned after Erling Haaland’s controversial goal, but he also accepted that United had chances to respond.
“It’s definitely not the result we wanted, for sure,” Michael Carrick said after the game. “How it happens is worse than frustrating, in terms of the decision for the goal. I have to be honest enough, we still could have created and scored after that but the decision has a major emotional impact on the game and a factual impact on the game. To give the goal changed the momentum a little bit.”
That is probably the fairest assessment of the match. The VAR decision changed the mood inside Old Trafford, but Manchester United still had enough time to produce something after going behind, that too with a player more on the pitch.
Michael Carrick has a point, but United need to show more
Michael Carrick insisted the defeat will not derail United’s campaign.
“It’s not going to change the season,” he vowed. “It’s a major impact on the game today, and it was a massive game, so there’s a long season ahead.
“We’ve got to get back to winning football matches. That’s on us, but that decision, that wasn’t on us today. It’s up to us to then create and score after that. Of course it is. We had moments. It’s not easy but it’s up to us to do that.”
The part about getting back to winning football is the key. United can’t keep pointing to encouraging spells if those spells aren’t producing three points.
Micahel Carrick felt his side were growing into the derby before the goal, particularly at the start of the second half.
“We’ve seen it before. Big moments, big games like that have a huge impact, and obviously it did today. I thought we started the second half pretty well, to be honest.
“I think we did a lot of things well, to be honest, and looked like we were growing into the game and looked dangerous.”
That makes the defeat even more frustrating. United had a good opportunity to show they could punish a City side reduced to 10 men for much of the match, yet they couldn’t turn pressure into a goal.
The Brighton game now matters more than the derby
Carrick’s comments about United creating more chances are important because this isn’t simply about VAR.
“Yeah, we could have created more. We could have. That’s an answer for us, but we could have, yeah. I thought we were in good shape for a lot of the game really, I do.”
That should be the main takeaway.
Carrick also pointed out that this was only United’s second home defeat in around 13 or 14 games, arguing that his side remain a good team.
“That’s our second defeat at home now over 13 or 14 games or so, we’re a good team. We’ll get back to winning ways.”
There is some reason to believe him. However, United need to prove it quickly. The next match against Brighton in the EFL Cup is no longer just another game after the derby. It’s the chance to see whether Carrick’s side can respond immediately instead of allowing another week to pass without the consistency he has demanded.
United have just 4 points from their opening four games, which is nowhere near good. They need to show some character, get back into momentum, and start winning ways.
Carrick doesn’t need to panic after one defeat. He does need answers if the same problems keep appearing.
Michael Carrick fumes over Haaland goal as Man Utd left confused by VAR call
Michael Carrick fumes over Haaland goal as Man Utd left confused by VAR call
Manchester United News & Talking Points: Derby Defeat, Mainoo and More
Manchester United News & Talking Points: Derby Defeat, Mainoo and More