Manchester United interim head coach Michael Carrick was full of praise for Harry Maguire after the defender delivered a commanding performance in Saturday’s impressive 2-0 Manchester derby victory over Manchester City at Old Trafford.
Maguire was immense at the heart of United’s defence, helping his side secure all three points in Carrick’s first match in charge. Second-half goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu sealed a memorable win, but the scoreline could easily have been more convincing.
United had the ball in the net on three further occasions through Bruno Fernandes, Amad and Mason Mount, only for all of those efforts to be ruled out for offside.
The Red Devils were dangerous throughout the contest. Casemiro and Mbeumo both tested City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma with powerful efforts, while Maguire came close to opening the scoring early on when his header struck the post. Defensively, the England international was outstanding alongside Lisandro Martinez, with the pair largely nullifying City’s attacking threat and limiting Pep Guardiola’s side to very few clear-cut chances.
Speaking after the match, Carrick expressed his delight with both the result and the overall performance. He described the win as the perfect way to begin his spell in charge, explaining that the coaching staff felt the players were in a strong mental and emotional state before kick-off. Carrick noted that the squad prepared well and left the dressing room with the right mindset, which he believed played a key role in how the game unfolded.
Carrick also acknowledged the quality of the opposition, stressing that City’s depth and tactical flexibility meant United had to be ready with multiple approaches during the match. He praised his players for adapting to different situations and managing the game intelligently, highlighting their emotional control and willingness to apply the tactical instructions they were given.
Bruno Fernandes also received special mention from Carrick, who lauded the captain’s performance in the number 10 role. Carrick explained that Fernandes combined creativity with discipline, working closely with Mbeumo to protect the central areas defensively. According to Carrick, Fernandes’ intelligence, positional awareness and quality on the ball made him a decisive influence on the game.
Turning his attention to the midfield and defence, Carrick applauded Kobbie Mainoo’s display alongside Casemiro, stating that the duo provided United with a solid platform. He reserved particularly strong praise for Maguire and Martinez, describing them as a strong defensive block that allowed the team to build confidently from the back.
Carrick admitted that selecting Maguire was a calculated risk, given the defender had only recently returned to training after an extended absence of nearly two months. However, he emphasised that Maguire’s determination and commitment shone through, as the centre-back not only completed the match but delivered an exceptional performance under intense pressure.
The interim boss also spoke about the hunger within the squad, describing the players as desperate to succeed and eager to learn. While warning that too much desperation can sometimes be counterproductive, Carrick expressed optimism that such a significant victory could act as a catalyst for a positive run of form.
Finally, Carrick addressed a controversial moment involving Diogo Dalot and Jeremy Doku, insisting from his viewpoint that Dalot played the ball and that the challenge lacked excessive force.
He concluded by praising the collective effort of the team, highlighting the front players and defenders alike for their intent, discipline and cohesion on a special afternoon for Manchester United.
