Sky Sports Premier League Podcast
Derby day delight for Michael Carrick's new look Manchester United
17 Jan 2026
Chapter 1: What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
This is the Sky Sports Premier League podcast. Thanks for joining us. The Manchester derby kicked off the weekend on Saturday lunchtime as City headed across town to play United at Old Trafford. Here's how the game finished. Manchester United, unchained. Manchester United smiling again. From chaos, Michael Carrick has brought clarity and immediate joy. How
Amid the senior figures of the club, they must relish this day. And how amongst the playing staff, it must be relished too.
Chapter 2: What happened in the Manchester derby between United and City?
Mbomo scored the first, Daugu scored the second. Those aside, Manchester United had three goals ruled out for offside. And Maguire hit the bar. And they hit the post through Ahmad at the end.
And Donnarumma was brilliant in the Manchester City goal. And given all of that,
The weight of the narrative, Gary, is so hugely and unexpectedly in Manchester United's favour.
An absolutely incredible day, Peter. The goals help, the results help, but, by goodness, was that performance needed?
He's played in great Manchester United teams, he knows what it looks like, but to actually put that into a team in three days where you could see some of the work that's gone on, this is not a time to get carried away, this is not a time to get giddy, because Manchester United have had so many false starts, but that is massively encouraging, to say the least.
What a first day at work, what a first week at work for Michael Carrick returning as he does as a former playing champion to the club he so adores Pep Guardiola with perhaps some justification will look back to an early moment in the game when Diogo Dalot might have seen red rather than yellow, that is worthy of debate.
His greater concern as he meets the Manchester City supporters, those at least who remain, is that Arsenal now have the capacity to get nine points clear by the end of Premier League business today. But that Carrick smile is the image of the day. The difference he has made at once to the dynamic at Old Trafford.
That is the story of the day, and the Stretford end produces the volume of the day, the noise, the celebratory noise that marks what feels, albeit wary as one must be of false storms that previously have been, what feels like a transformational Manchester United victory.
Manchester United 2 Manchester City now Gary Peter thank you very much and how rare a sight this has been Manchester United's Old Trafford pretty much still full away fans apart at full time whistle with broad smiles wherever you look in celebration at a performance and a victory for Michael Carrick in his first game in charge Roy Keane is here in the studio with us
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Chapter 3: How did Michael Carrick's leadership change the team's performance?
What do you think of the impact that Michael Carrick's had? Well, it's been, again, it's been perfect for him. Absolutely perfect there from 2-0 in. Again, your top lads turn up, the clean sheet to beat your local rivals and to beat them so well in a dominant performance. And the way the game started, you're thinking, yeah, it's there for him.
And you're running half-time going, yeah, but you'd expect the bed to sit in the second half, but United never gave him that chance. As I said, you scored two, could have been maybe four or five, a couple of tight decisions, a bit of better timing running. They could have even won four or five, but they'll be more than happy with the 2-0 win and a big lift for everybody.
But they've got that in their locker. We have seen moments over the last year or two where they win games. But again, to state the obvious, you've just got to back it up. You've got to be consistent. Winning games can be easy sometimes. You've got to keep winning.
Two goals, it might well have been more. And a second clean sheet in 15 as well. Let's hear from a couple of those Manchester United players now. Martinez and Mbumo with Patrick Davison.
guys well played what an unbelievable afternoon what is it like after let's face it some tough times to see this place like this unbelievable unbelievable being here with our people with the fans with the team we really know how we suffer on this during the season
But the only way is putting the face here and showing who we are. And I think today it was the best moment to do it. And I think the team, not just the players who were on the pitch, but also on the bench, the staff, everyone was part of that.
Is the togetherness you feel with the fans, the energy that's here right now, just maybe the best you've known it?
Absolutely, absolutely.
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Chapter 4: What were the standout moments from Manchester United's victory?
I think one important thing that Michael Curry said, he said, use the energy of the people. And today, I think... We did it, and when we are together like this, it's impossible to lose at home.
Brian, is it your most special day so far in the red shirt?
Yeah, I think it's one of them, obviously. Yes, scoring in front of this stand is unbelievable. In a derby, it's even more. Like Licha said, the atmosphere, we used the energy of the fans today. This place was unbelievable today.
What's it been like for you in the last week or two? You obviously have the pride of going away and representing your country. And while you're there and you come back, everything's changed.
Yeah, obviously, when I came back a lot of things changed, but I think we have a very good group. We've always been together, like stick together. We have a fantastic uni, so I think it's unbelievable.
Cassandra, obviously Brian got his goal. The other thing that happened today is you kept Man City as a whole, but Erling Haaland quiet. Really proud of that. Not just the defence, but the defensive effort as a whole from the whole team.
Absolutely, absolutely. When you play against this kind of players, the team, the team defend, not just one or two players. And I think today we defend so good, we were compact all the time and then you have the confidence to go to the duels and I think you feel today a different energy when you see the eyes of the player and I think today the team
That's the most important for me, and I'm happy with that.
It feels like we've been talking about your height ever since you came to England, but a defender like you, not the biggest centre-half, how do you deal with a giant like Haaland? Not just a giant, a top player as well.
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Chapter 5: How did the players and fans react to the win?
How much of this is down to him, to Michael Carrick?
I think it's a bit of everything. Obviously, it's not easy because we had only three days. And I think, yeah, as I said, because we are all together, we all want to go in the same way, in the same aim as well. So, yeah, I think we tried to be as focused as possible today. As Licha said, we've been a lot together. Everyone was defending, everyone was attacking.
So, again, it's been a team effort today. Very good result.
Well played both of you.
And they get a great reception from the Stretford end as well as they depart from Patrick Davison and why not after a performance like that and a victory like that which they've long been waiting for to celebrate here at Old Trafford. An extra special to come in Michael Carrick's first game, an extra special to come against Manchester City as well.
Roy Keane, Daniel Sturridge and Micah Richards are here and you'll hear what they have to say next and try and make sense of what we have witnessed here at Old Trafford this afternoon. Is it the rebirth of Manchester United? Bit of moment from Michael in the Manchester United dugout might have moved the dial here in Manchester.
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Chapter 6: What tactical changes did Carrick implement in his first match?
Let's get back to the studio for more reaction to today's game. And Chucky's free kick, Harry Maguire's clearing header from Bormo's sweet first touch.
Bruno Fernandes, United have three on two here. Four on two as Dorgoo joins in. Bruno Fernandes, down to Bormo! Straight for the end, derby day! Old Trafford, as you may remember it.
What a noise. Pugna, looking to rip around O'Reilly, Dorgoo! Old Trafford is roaring! Manchester United a quarter of an hour away from Derby delight. As loud as you've heard it here at Old Trafford for many a month, 2-0 victory for Manchester United. The first game for Michael Carrick in this head coach role until the end of the season. Well, at least I think we have to say at this point.
And Manchester City well beaten here this afternoon to the delight of the United hierarchy. and every player who raised their game, it seemed, for Michael Carrick's debut here this afternoon. What a performance, what a scoreline, and what a first goal as well, which seemed to work perfectly. Did it always feel, Roy, that United's best chance was going to be in transition? Yeah, possibly so.
We saw it in the goal. Man City's set-play delivery was poor all day, and again, they're stretched all over the place, as if they're chasing the game, and there's no need.
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Chapter 7: What impact did the absence of key players have on Manchester City?
And if you want one player in the world to be in this position, it's Bruno.
it's Bruno, he's got to make the right decision, the right pace of pass, he's obviously got options either side, but from City's point of view, all over the place, but lovely bit of trickery here, and we've got runners, and you've got options, but you've still got to pick the right one, and Bruno is the man for that, the way to pass, the finish, we knew it would have to be a good finish to beat this goalkeeper, fantastic goal from United, poor from City, but brilliant, effective,
attacking football from the United.
And what a finish, Daniel, as well. Does the pass actually make up Mbomo's mind for him as to what he has to do? Not necessarily, no. It was a fantastic way of pass, but the direction, how clinical he was, it was a beautiful finish from him. And to be honest with you, the way he did the touch on the edge of the box is what makes it.
But then to have the drive and the willingness, the running power, the speed to be able to even get yourself into that position, have to give him the wealth of credit for that. Coaching staff enjoyed it as well. But let's have a look at the second goal. Daniel. Yeah, I mean, the ability from Kunya here. I want to talk about the tenacity of Dougie. I want this ball. This ball's for me.
And that's what the defender should be thinking. But I mentioned it before. This angle in between these two defenders on this right side could be an area that could be exposed. And we've seen it here. They're facing the wrong way, of course. But as the winger, you're always taught, make sure you're attacking that ball. Get in front of your man. He does it perfectly. And well-deserved goal for him.
How about that from Dogi? What a finish from him to the delight of Carrick. His second of the season. He's been chipping in with assists as well recently as well. What a moment for Michael Carrick to enjoy. But we can just, I've just been looking at, I'm just staring at this expression of stone opposite me here, Michael.
I'm disappointed with the amount of chances it conceded. I mean, in a derby, you've got to give 100%. And if the team's playing better than him, Man Utd probably deserve to win. But if you look at Rico Lewis's position here, and yes, he plays and goes and plays in that midfield area. But you've got to stop the counter-attack. How was Man United going to score today? It was on that counter-attack.
And from that free kick, you've got to think about the second phase. And here we talk about body language and body positions. And he does really well. He knows exactly where Dogu is. He has a little look. Absolutely perfect. He can see the ball, but he can see the man. And then he switches off at the vital moment, allows him to get inside and have that.
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Chapter 8: How did the refereeing decisions influence the match outcome?
And the way Man City play, they go really high. But in that midfield area, especially with young players at the back, you need that protection. So if you're in that middle, you've got to stop it.
Well, that was the point I was going to make on Rico Lewis, that it's his first start since August, Micah. It's not his fault that it's not just him that hasn't played for a while, but also the rest of that back four as well.
Yeah, I mean, Alain, I thought he was very good in the first half and he gets subbed in the second half. But when you're analysing and you're looking at Man United, there was going to have a big performance. Carrick, the energy was going to be there. We knew that. But you're thinking tactically, how are Man United going to open up City? It's always going to be on transition.
So you have to think of worst case, what can happen? As Shirky puts in that ball there, you're thinking, Rico Lewis, I cannot affect it going forward in terms of in the area. So now you've got to think, worst case, what can possibly happen? And being there, Shirky as well, Portis, he can run back, but Semeny on the other side gets back. behind Rico Lewis.
You can stop it at source, though. If Turkey makes a professional foul, we're not talking about a counter-attack. That's in those moments there when you have a player who goes, all right, I'm going to make a foul. Just take the yellow and move on. But I think the touch of Mbermo allows the counter-attack. We're going to head off, Micah. They've scored two today, Manchester United.
They've scored three offside goals. They've hit the post. They've hit the bar as well. And we are going to show it to you again.
Yeah, just run. Stop it down there. Stop it there. We know Shirky, and you've got to know your players. So if you could roll that back just a little bit, because this is really, really important. At the beginning of the clip here, right? So when Shirky's now going to take it, pause it there, right? Rico Lewis in this moment cannot affect the game unless it goes to Shaw and it gets really tight.
So now you have to think worst case. And if you roll it on slowly, you've got to know Shirky defensively. That's not really what he does. Yes, he could take one out and take one for the team. But Rico Lewis, where is he going in this moment? It cannot affect it. Now you need to stop it at source. And now the running back. Yes, it's good from...
man united but this is at this moment in the game this is the only way that they could open up sit on transition it's better they had a couple of chances or a disallow for the marginal offside but they're like i don't know mike i think the city lacked that intensity for the whole game i can't get i can't give that to rico loose for me i think stop it at source if turkey makes a professional foul there and takes a yellow card there's no chance
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