Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images
Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images
Michael Carrick witnessed something that he has not seen his Manchester United side do under him after Phil Foden’s sending-off in the Manchester derby.
The 45-year-old Manchester United manager received a boost in the first half after Phil Foden lashed out at Bruno Fernandes and was dismissed on Sunday evening.
United had the numbers advantage against Manchester City for most of the Premier League clash, but the Red Devils failed to capitalise on the opportunity.
Instead, City punished Man Utd’s shortcomings in the first Manchester derby of the 2026-27 season after Erling Haaland scored the second-half winner at Old Trafford.
READ MORE: Carlos Baleba is one of four Man Utd ‘misses’ for Brighton match as Michael Carrick’s only ‘doubt’ could return
Manchester United Head Coach / Manager Michael Carrick looks on 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 Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Manchester United v Manchester City - Premier League 2026/27
Photo by Alex Livesey – Danehouse/Getty Images
Man Utd’s xG stat hit an all-time low for the first time in Michael Carrick’s managerial reign at Old Trafford
Manchester United were unable to cancel out Erling Haaland’s opener and Michael Carrick and Co were left licking their wounds after Sunday evening’s encounter.
The Red Devils did have 16 shots in the clash compared with Manchester City’s six, while United were on target three times and Enzo Maresca’s side were on two.
However, the real eye-opener for United fans is the xG from the Premier League contest at the weekend, which was 1.0 for the Red Devils and 1.10 for Man City.
According to Opta Analyst, United’s xG stat from the 1-0 defeat to 10-man City was the first time they had hit such a low metric for a home match under Carrick.
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Two of United’s three shots on target also came after Phil Foden had marched down the Old Trafford tunnel, as the Red Devils struggled to clinch the win on the day.
Both Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford came close to scoring in the Manchester derby, but the two England internationals were denied by the post in their attempts.
According to StatMuse, United’s last xG at Old Trafford before the City match was a whopping 5.02 after the Red Devils thrashed Ipswich Town 5-2 last month.
United will now return to action at Old Trafford on Wednesday evening for the start of their Carabao Cup run, as the Red Devils will host Brighton in the third round.