LIVE: MANCHESTER DERBY

Michael Carrick only began to work with Manchester United’s squad on Wednesday, yet his team went about this game with a structure, style and purpose rarely seen during a difficult 2025.

The Old Trafford crowd were swept along with the impressive defensive work-rate from the home side. When United lost the ball, they would flood back in to protect the back four.

And when it was time to attack, United did so with gusto.

This was a United performance earned in sweat, with multiple players deciding to be brave and putting a foot forward, when in previous weeks they might have taken a step back.

Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez, speaking to Sky Sports: “Unbelievable. Unbelievable. Being here with the fans, with the team we really know how we suffer during the season. But the only way is putting the face here and showing here who we are. Today is the best moment to do it. Not just the players on the pitch, the staff, everyone was part of that.

“I think one important thing that Michael Carrick said was ‘use the energy of the people’ and today I think we did it and when we are together like this it is impossible to lose at home.

“When you play against these kind of players, the team defend. Not just one or two players. Today we defend so good, we were compact all the times. And then you have the confidence to go to the duels. Today you feel a different energy when you see the eyes of the players. Today the team won and that is the most important thing.”

He was indeed offside so it stays at 2-0.

Mount goal ruled offside.

Would have been three goals to United

Manchester United players Matthijs de Ligt, Joshua Zirkzee and owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe celebrating Patrick Dorgu’s goal in the stands.

It’s Pep Guardiola’s 55th birthday on Sunday, any champagne he bought to celebrate will have to be kept in fridge…for now.

Man City cannot believe it. Massive figures, Donnarumma, Rodri, Haaland shaking their head and the biggest of all, Pep Guardiola – stunned. They have been run ragged.

Man Utd have punched and punched on the attack constantly. Really simple principles here.

Michael Carrick is in heaven.

A second!

This is dreamland for Manchester United fans. Not just a 2-0 lead against their rivals but a deserved 2-0 lead.

Matheus Cunha whips a low ball into the box, Rico Lewis doesn’t anticipate Patrick Dorgu speeding in and Dorgu gets to the ball first to fire home.

A second!

This is dreamland for Manchester United fans. Not just a 2-0 lead against their rivals but a deserved 2-0 lead.

Matheus Cunha whips a low ball into the box, Rico Lewis doesn’t anticipate Patrick Dorgu speeding in and Dorgu gets to the ball first to fire home.

The noise, THE NOISE inside Old Trafford.

Joy, relief, whatever you want to call it – it is absolutely pandemonium.

Chants of “it’s Carrick, you know” go up from the reds faithful.

City’s travelling supporters have been silenced and their side have a mountain to climb not only in this match but in the title race too.

Lose this and Manchester City will be six points behind leaders Arsenal, which could become nine points by this evening.

Pep Guardiola is deep in discussion with his coaches. A crucial 20 minutes or so remaining.

Well, 65 minutes of a proper performance, a proper attack and a proper goal. Bruno Fernandes and Bryan Mbeumo have both been outstanding and they haven’t quite connected perfectly, but now they do. It is absolutely electric in this ground.

This is not a time to get giddy. There has been many false starts. That is three days of pretty good work that we have seen in 65 minutes from Michael Carrick, I have to say.

Gianluigi Donnarumma again!

Fantastic save as the goalkeeper keeps Manchester City in this by reacting quickly to Bryan Mbeumo’s goal-bound strike at the back post.

Two big saves by Gianluigi Donnarumma as he first keeps out Amad Diallo’s powerful strike, before then reacting superbly to block Casemiro’s attempt to chip the loose ball over him.

First real chance for Erling Haaland as he is slipped into the box by Antoine Semenyo but the striker’s shot is blocked by Lisandro Martínez.

City have another corner but again the delivery from the set-piece is poor.

Erling Haaland is limping slightly after that clash with Harry Maguire just before half time.

He is heading slowly down the tunnel to plenty of abuse from the home fans.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wanted to sign him when he was Manchester United manager.

‘Man Utd have had real purpose’

A lot of what Michael Carrick would have wanted to have seen, he has seen. Man Utd have had to work hard defensively to get back into their shape. When they have got the ball, they have had real purpose in what they have done.

Man Utd 0-0 Man City

A great ball over the top and Bruno Fernandes is onto it. He calmly Gianluigi Donnarumma, evades a sliding challenge and slots in.

He heads off to celebrate and for a moment it looks like the goal stands, but then the offside flag is raised.

It did look close between Fernandes and Nathan Ake.

Manchester City continue to press for the opener as half-time approaches and Antoine Semenyo is not too far off a third goal in as many games as he bends a shot from the edge of the box wide of the far post.

Man Utd 0-0 Man City

Suddenly Amad Diallo is put through and rounds Gianluigi Donnarumma to slot the ball into the net. The flag is up for offside however, with VAR checking and standing by the on field decision.

Manchester City can’t keep getting away with their poor defending, however.