Pep Guardiola has spoken on why his side were beaten by their local rivals as Manchester City suffered a 2-0 defeat at Old Trafford.
Michael Carrick’s return to the Manchester United dugout could hardly have gone better, as his side beat the Cityzens in a dramatic and high-energy derby.
United scored twice in the second half through Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu to claim a famous win and lift the mood around the club.
After only four days in charge of his second spell as interim head coach, Carrick delivered a performance full of courage, pace and belief.
United pressed City, defended with discipline and struck with deadly speed when the moment came. The result sent Old Trafford into celebration and gave Carrick the perfect platform to build from.
The game changed on 64 minutes with a goal that captured everything Carrick wants from his team. It was quick, brave and perfectly timed.
Harry Maguire rose high to clear a City attack with a firm header. The ball dropped into space and evaded Rayan Cherki, allowing Bruno Fernandes to take control. The United captain drove forward with purpose, scanning his options as City scrambled to recover.
Amad Diallo was free on the right, while Patrick Dorgu and Bryan Mbeumo sprinted down the left. Fernandes showed calm and experience, holding on to the ball just long enough before sliding a precise pass into Mbeumo’s path.
The Cameroonian winger made no mistake. He ran through and finished calmly past Gianluigi Donnarumma, sending the ball into the net with ease.
Carrick exploded in celebration in the technical area, while most of Old Trafford erupted. Only the blue section of the stadium remained silent.
Meanwhile, the goal was a reward for United approach. From the first whistle, they had taken the game to City, pressing high and refusing to sit back.
Just six minutes after the opener, United struck again. Mbeumo, still working his way back after Africa Cup of Nations duty, was taken off to protect his fitness. He was replaced by Matheus Cunha, and the Brazilian made an instant impact.
Cunha collected the ball on the right wing and delivered a dangerous cross into the box. Patrick Dorgu reacted quickest, darting in front of a sleeping Rico Lewis. His touch sent the ball bouncing off the right post and over the line.
Pep Guardiola cut a frustrated figure on the bench, slumped in his seat and searching for answers. His team, so often dominant, were second best on the day.
The afternoon became even sweeter for United supporters when Erling Haaland was taken off later in the match. The City striker has now gone seven games without a goal from open play, an incredible run by his high standards.
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For Manchester City, this was a damaging day in the title race. They stayed second at the final whistle, but the gap to the leaders remained six points. Arsenal, under Mikel Arteta, still have the chance to extend that lead when they play Nottingham Forest later in the day.
City’s title challenge is not over, but this defeat raised questions. They struggled to cope with United’s pace on the counter-attack and lacked their usual sharpness in front of goal.
After Manchester City suffered a 2-0 defeat at Old Trafford, Guardiola explained that his team lack of energy led to the humiliation against their rivals. The Spaniard admitted that the Red Devils were the better team through the match.
“The better team won. They were better. When a team is better, you have to accept it. They had the energy we didn’t have, so congratulations,” he said during his post-match interview.
“It’s about how we grow up as a team. I have the feeling we’ve done very good things so far. To be better you may have to take a step back. The season is a long way and you have to continue to analyse,” the City boss said.
