Carrick’s Encouragement Following Derby Victory Against City

Michael Carrick has urged his Manchester United players to maintain their performance level following an impressive 2-0 victory against Manchester City in his first match as manager.

United showcased dominance throughout the match, securing the win with goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu. The margin of victory could have been more significant, as three United goals were disallowed for offside.

City managed only one shot on target, and ahead of their upcoming clash against Arsenal at the Emirates, Carrick stressed the importance of replicating such a high standard of play.

“That’s the challenge ultimately; I think it needs to be a version of normal,” Carrick remarked. “We certainly won’t have games with the same emotion and intensity as today. However, there are definite standards and expectations we must uphold, both internally and externally. I am keenly aware of that.

“Consistency is vital for any success, and achieving that will lead us to victory. So, our challenge is to find a way to be consistent. Next week presents a significant test, but today’s performance gives us a solid foundation to build upon.”

Carrick, who was appointed on Tuesday, conducted his first training session on Wednesday. This result marked the end of a four-match winless streak under previous interim coaches Ruben Amorim and Darren Fletcher, and it secured only the second home derby win over City since 2020.

“It’s a fantastic start, there’s no denying that,” Carrick stated. “Prior to the game, the coaching staff and I felt the players were in a good mental space. We were pleased with our preparation and how the players were engaging emotionally leading up to the match.

“City is an exceptional team, filled with talent capable of making tactical adjustments. The outcome was unpredictable, but the players were remarkable in their execution and emotional management, which made it an impressive performance.”