The Independent
·17 January 2026
Man United vs Man City live: Dorgu and Mbeumo fire hosts to victory in enthralling Premier League derby

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·17 January 2026


Moment Pep Guardiola reacts to Manchester City’s derby loss
A transformed Manchester United began manager Michael Carrick’s second stint in charge with an exhilarating 3-0 derby-day victory over Manchester City in the Premier League at a vibrant Old Trafford on Saturday.
Carrick’s attack-minded side swept away the gloom hanging over the club, with second-half goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu underlining their dominance over a disappointing City side whose title hopes suffered a major blow.
Mbeumo, recently returned from Africa Cup of Nations duty with Cameroon, finished clinically in the 65th minute, and Dorgu got on the end of a Matheus Cunha cross to send the home fans into dreamland 10 minutes later.
But for a superb display by City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and three disallowed goals, United could have enjoyed an even more emphatic margin of victory. The visitors barely threatened, with prolific striker Erling Haaland afforded few chances.
The humbling defeat dealt a significant setback to City’s hopes of reeling in Arsenal in the Premier League title race. Instead of cutting the gap at the top to three points, they could find themselves nine adrift if Arsenal beat Nottingham Forest later on Saturday.
For United, it was the perfect start to Carrick’s tenure as they moved provisionally into fourth place.
Michael Carrick was mild-mannered to the last. His expression was sober, his immediate reaction to offer handshakes.
To look at him, it was not evident Manchester United had recorded the most emphatic of derby wins. Yet the soundtrack was different, the chorus of Carrick’s name coming from the Stretford End.
And if Carrick was calm, a glance at many another told a different tale.
Richard Jolly17 January 2026 16:03
“I literally haven’t seen it to be honest,” said Carrick when asked if Diogo Dalot should have been sent off.
“At the time I thought he’d kicked the ball out but the fourth official said he hadn’t. I’ve not seen the offside decisions either but apparently they were close. If it went for us, it went for us and we’ll take it.
“For so many reasons, today was special. But it’s one game and it’s really important we don’t get carried away.
“We need to maintain that level of performance. It’s a great day and a fantastic results. We’ll soak it up and enjoy, but it’s definitely not enough. It’s never enough.”
"You could say that, you could say that red card, different game,” Pep Guardiola said.
“Many, many situations happen. It is easy for me to come here and say it should be a red card.
“It is not about that, we will not grow up if that is the argument to win or lose a game. To do you have to do better and we didn't today."
Mike Jones17 January 2026 15:29
"They started really strong, we lost one or two balls. The crowd is normal, because it is a derby,” Guardiola added.
“In many years they have been behind them and also with the new manager it is normal these kind of things in the game.
"We never made a threat or a cross or a movement to try and win that. It is also part of the energy, win or lose it is about what we do with the ball as well, not just without.
"It is not about one player."

(Manchester United via Getty Imag)
Mike Jones17 January 2026 15:25
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