Manchester United secured a significant victory over local rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford, winning 2-0 in a match that saw Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu score pivotal goals. The hosts took the lead in the 65th minute through Mbeumo, who returned to the squad after injury. Dorgu added a second goal shortly after, effectively sealing the three points for United.
Despite a late effort from Mason Mount, who thought he had scored a third goal, it was ruled offside following a VAR review. Mount had earlier assisted Dorgu, while Matheus Cunha played a crucial role by providing the pass to Mount. The match featured the return of Mbeumo and Amad, both back from the Africa Cup of Nations, leading to changes in the starting lineup. This resulted in Cunha and Benjamin Sesko being left out, with the latter not even making it onto the pitch as Mbeumo operated as a false nine under manager Michael Carrick.
Joshua Zirkzee, who was expected to be part of the squad, was absent entirely due to a minor injury, as confirmed by sources from Manchester United to BBC Sport. This absence comes amidst speculation regarding his future, with January transfer links circulating. Although missing from the pitch, Zirkzee was present at Old Trafford and shared his enthusiasm on social media, reposting United’s full-time update with a celebratory message.
In an Instagram story, Zirkzee expressed his excitement with the phrase, “F****** get in!!!!” and shared a photo of himself celebrating with teammates Matthijs de Ligt and Tom Heaton, accompanied by several laughing emojis. He also paid tribute to Casemiro, who was named player of the match for his outstanding performance.
This victory temporarily elevated Manchester United to fourth place in the Premier League table, although they were soon overtaken by Liverpool after the latter’s draw against Burnley. Both teams have shown inconsistent form this season, but Carrick is focused on establishing a more stable performance as he leads the team.
Carrick emphasized the importance of consistency, stating, “That’s the challenge, ultimately, and I think it needs to be a version of normal.” He acknowledged that the emotional intensity of the derby would not be replicated in every game but stressed the need for standards and expectations to be met. “If you can find that, then you’re on to a winner. So that’s our challenge, we’ve got to find a way of doing that.”
Looking ahead, Zirkzee will be hoping for more playing time under Carrick, though his injury and the limited fixture schedule may impact his opportunities. The next match promises to be another tough challenge, but with a solid foundation from this victory, United aims to build momentum in their upcoming fixtures.
