Why Michael Carrick can’t just blame VAR for Man Utd’s dismal derby failure | OneFootball

Manchester City have had some famous victories at Old Trafford in the last 15 years and if this scoreline was the least spectacular, the circumstances mean it may become among the most celebrated.

A man down for more than 70 minutes, stoppage time included, in their first derby since Pep Guardiola’s departure, shorn of a sent-off specialist in scoring against Manchester United, they instead conjured a victory built on brilliant defending, fashioned by big-money signings and sealed, with a certain inevitability, by Erling Haaland.

The Norwegian adopted his trademark meditative pose after his winner was contentiously awarded. He certainly gave United much to think about. This was a thoroughly chastening occasion for them. Gifted an advantage by Phil Foden, with a red card of senseless stupidity, they squandered it with their inability to break City down.

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Man United were unable to break Man City down despite the man advantage (Reuters)

This was the opposite of Michael Carrick’s first derby, when United brought intensity, incision and astute decision-making. A passive team drifted to defeat. A day that did not quite go according to plan for three Mancunians saw a United pair, Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo, both strike the woodwork. Gianluigi Donnarumma only had one save of note to make, but his 95th-minute stop from Bryan Mbeumo was terrific. “This wolf in goal giving you so much confidence,” said Haaland in a unique tribute. “He is a mad man but he is a match-winner as well."

Carrick’s choices scarcely worked. Matheus Cunha was ineffective as the centre-forward, while he delayed too long before bringing on Benjamin Sesko. Configured to counter-attack, United looked bemused by the challenge of facing 10 men, with the onus on them to score.

“We had a plan and after the red card it completely changed,” said Enzo Maresca. “The game was more difficult for us but also for them.” United struggled to create against a deeper defence. “I can’t be too critical of the players and I won’t be,” said Carrick, though perhaps he should be.

An undistinguished start to the season has become a poor one. United are already eight points behind City, whose reign as kings of Manchester looks set to continue. For the manager anointed as Guardiola’s successor, it was a match to indicate he may be worthy of the honour.

This was a first seismic victory of Maresca’s tenure. Like Guardiola and Manuel Pellegrini before him, he triumphed in his first derby at Old Trafford. "To win a game with 10 players is special but it is even more special when it is a Manchester derby," he said.

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Enzo Maresca has won his first derby in charge of Manchester City (Reuters)

The Italian got much right. Matheus Nunes, preferred to Abdukodir Khusanov at right-back, had one of his finest games in a City shirt. Iliman Ndiaye, brought on for Rayan Cherki at half-time, added defensive cover and poise in possession.

It helped, too, that Maresca simply seems to have better players. Marc Guehi was the pick of the defenders, forever in a position to block or head anything away. Both sides had a midfield makeover in the summer and if City spent more than twice as much as United, the initial evidence is they recruited far superior options.

“They are expensive players but were very good,” said Maresca of his £100m men in the middle. Enzo Fernandez was excellent, a professional irritant seeming in his element in adversity. He had a low shot tipped on to the post by Senne Lammens and supplied Haaland when he almost scored a second. In a more understated way, Elliot Anderson was also outstanding. Having branded his new club the monarchs in Manchester, Anderson may have applied more pressure on himself.

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Enzo Fernandez was an irritant in his element at Old Trafford (PA)

Although, of course, Foden put most pressure on City. Often a scourge of United, the local’s derby record may have explained his selection; he is still without a goal in 2026 but now he has a sending off to his name.

His ill-advised decision to plant his studs in Bruno Fernandes’ midriff brought just the second red card of his career; for all his protestations of innocence, his manager agreed with the decision. Fernandes was instigator, with a little kick at Foden, and Maresca felt he should have faced the same fate. “Phil Foden’s red card is a red card but I also think it is a red card for Bruno Fernandes,” Maresca added.

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Phil Foden’s stupid sending off threatened to swing the derby in Man United’s favour (PA Wire)

United were buoyant then, but their response was muted. They had a lone shot on target in the first half. Rashford whipped a free kick against the post just before the interval just as, in open play and from a similar distance, Mainoo came similarly close after the break.

But United’s best spell led to City’s goal. Haaland slid in to convert Josko Gvardiol’s deflected cross and was initially ruled offside. Actually, Fernandez was, though a lengthy review concluded he did not make contact with the ball. Lisandro Martinez, who was trying to track his Argentina teammate, called it an “injustice”. Carrick said: “If that's the interpretation of not interfering in the game now, that's really worrying for me. It's a staggering explanation.”

The fact, though, is that the Norwegian had his ninth Manchester derby goal, one short of the most in City history; it will surely end up as another record Haaland possesses. The Norwegian was talismanic. “As you say in English, happy wife, happy life,” said Maresca.

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Erling Haaland produced the talismanic touch to win the derby despite controversy (Getty)

He looked happy himself when the final whistle set him off sprinting down the touchline, Jose Mourinho style. “To win a game with 10 players is special but it is even more special when it is a Manchester derby,” he said.

Maresca remembered his previous trip to Old Trafford, when Chelsea had a man sent off in the fifth minute and duly lost. But the City supporters remembered their host of wins away at United as they added another. “We’ve only got 10 men,” their fans chorused. It was all they needed.