Some Manchester United players could make a statement this week following Michael Carrick's side's 1-0 defeat by rivals Manchester City
Head Coach Michael Carrick of Manchester United walks out ahead of the Premier League 2026/27 match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford
Michael Carrick will hope Manchester United can bounce back in the Carabao Cup(Image: Getty)
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Michael Carrick could be put on notice by five Manchester United players this week. Many of the squad have a point to prove after they or their team-mates faltered against Manchester City.
After a mixed start to the Premier League season - a 2-0 loss to Hull City, a 5-2 win against Ipswich Town and a 2-2 draw against Everton - Carrick's United welcomed rivals City to Old Trafford on Sunday.
It didn't take long for sparks to fly, as Phil Foden was sent off in the 23rd minute after a tangle with Bruno Fernandes. The City star appeared to kick out and was given his marching orders for violent conduct. More controversy ensued in the 60th minute, when Erling Haaland turned home a cross to give his team a 1-0 lead.
He was initially flagged offside but VAR overturned the decision, despite team-mate Enzo Fernandez, who attempted to play the ball with a diving header, appearing to be in an offside position. The refereeing body, Pro Ref, has since admitted an error. Yet the score remained 1-0 and Carrick's men were defeated.
It's Brighton in the third round of the Carabao Cup up next and there'll be a host of United players wanting to stake their claim on a first-team place or simply send a message to the manager. The Manchester Evening News takes a look at five of them.
Patrick Dorgu
Iliman Ndiaye of Manchester City takes on Patrick Dorgu of Manchester United during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford
Dorgu was poor against City(Image: Getty)
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The versatile Dorgu was well off the pace against City and simply does not look like a natural left-back. He seems far more comfortable further up the pitch.
However, with the status of Luke Shaw, who missed Sunday's derby with a calf injury, unknown, he could be in from the start again against Brighton.
Dorgu could prove one of two things to Carrick on Wednesday: that he is, in fact, capable of facing Premier League teams as a marauding left-back, or that he is far better used as a left-sided attacker, should the manager play him there.
Harry Amass
If Dorgu starts against Brighton and shows no signs of promise, Harry Amass could be in line to benefit. Shaw may well be fit in time to face the Seagulls, but if he isn't, then Amass could earn a spot on the bench.
Harry Amass of Manchester United running during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Manchester United and Sabah FC at Old Trafford
Amass made his Champions League debut last week(Image: Getty)
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The 19-year-old made his Champions League debut in the 4-0 win against Sabah FK, replacing Dorgu in the 72nd minute. He could do the same against Brighton, perhaps even earlier, should his Danish team-mate underperform.
Amass can prove United bosses wrong with a good outing, as he is currently not considered up to scratch for the first team and was close to leaving the club in the summer. If Shaw is out for an extended period, opportunities could be plentiful.
Chido Obi
Away from the current first-team, Chido Obi has a huge chance to make a statement midweek. The Dane is currently on loan in the Netherlands with Willem II.
They face Ajax on Tuesday night, and while Obi is yet to start for his new side, which he joined on loan earlier this month, if he comes off the bench and does anything, it'll be noteworthy.
Chido Obi of Willem II during the Dutch Eredivisie match between Willem II and Excelsior at the Koning Willem II Stadion on September 5, 2026 in Tilburg, the Netherlands
Obi is on loan with Willem II(Image: Getty)
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Bruno Fernandes
Now, aside from him coaxing Foden into a kick-out against City, skipper Fernandes was relatively poor on Sunday. He failed to get things going on the attacking end and made an error early on that luckily did not cost his team.
He will probably play against Brighton if he is not rested, and this could be the perfect chance to prove to Carrick that Sunday's underperformance was just a blip, which it almost certainly was, considering he already has four goals to his name this season.
Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United appears dejected following defeat in the Premier League 2026/27 match between Manchester United and Manchester City
Fernandes will want to put the City game behind him(Image: Getty)
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Noussair Mazraoui
Diogo Dalot's start to this campaign has been anything but spectacular. He was error-ridden against City and hasn't looked up to scratch at right-back.
Against Sabah in the Champions League, it was Noussair Mazraoui who started, and Carrick might opt to use him again in the Carabao Cup.
A really eye-catching performance could ensure Mazraoui gets more minutes in the Premier League and maybe even put him on the path to supplanting Dalot.