Man Utd's Derby Demolition Sparks Fierce Debate as Pundits Clash Over Title Hopes
Manchester United's commanding 2–0 victory against Manchester City in Michael Carrick's debut match as manager sent excitement through Old Trafford—though former club icons have offered varied responses, blending caution with enthusiasm and sentiment.
Carrick chose to give Kobbie Mainoo his first Premier League start this season, positioning Bruno Fernandes in a more advanced role, while the ex-England midfielder maintained the back-four formation that interim manager Darren Fletcher had used in United's previous two fixtures.
He was also fortunate to have Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo return from AFCON commitments—with Mbeumo starting centrally ahead of Benjamin Šeško and Diallo taking the opposite wing to Patrick Dorgu.
Mbeumo and Dorgu provided the decisive moments in a match where United created numerous scoring opportunities, generating an electric atmosphere that transported the home crowd back to the glory days reminiscent of Sir Alex Ferguson's era.
Keane: Everybody Needs to Calm Down
Keane: Everybody Needs to Calm Down
While the euphoria of United defeating their cross-town rivals was intoxicating for many, forthright analyst Roy Keane remained firm in his post-game analysis that United must stay realistic.
"Let's evaluate this over the coming months. The crucial thing for him is building team momentum," Keane declared, during an intense debate with fellow analysts Daniel Sturridge and Micah Richards—both eager to commend United's impressive victory.
"He's an English manager, the English press will support him. He performed well today, but let's observe his progress," Keane added. "They've secured one victory! The previous manager also won one game. He's only been in position for three days."
Providing additional perspective, Keane highlighted that Carrick benefited from better circumstances than Fletcher, particularly having Mbeumo and Amad back from international service plus Harry Maguire in central defense. "Everyone's fit, City at home, they've been slightly below par, he could have had a dismissal," he remarked.
"Good timing and some fortune, they capitalized on it. Credit where it's due—but everyone should stay level-headed."
Neville: Performance Was Like Man Utd of Old
Neville: Performance Was Like Man Utd of Old
At the other end of the optimism scale was Gary Neville, who has consistently discussed Manchester United's 'identity' and the importance of any manager connecting with the club's traditional principles.
Neville was direct in acknowledging that conditions have been "terrible" at United, yet this display demonstrated the team's potential to restore past glories by following the proven approach that dominated a City team with six Premier League championships under Pep Guardiola.
"We've been programmed to think you can't play the Manchester United way. That's what I've heard for the past three, four, five years, 'Move forward, that style is outdated,'" Neville explained. "I disagree, you can play that style in today's game, you just witnessed 90 minutes of it, 90 minutes of precisely how I believe this club performs when it's truly at its peak.
"This isn't the moment to declare Manchester United will maintain this form and climb the table, this needs to be a stepping stone toward possibly securing a European spot, top five would be incredible.
"But this isn't Manchester United's comeback, it's the return of something that resembles the club. It's been a shadow of itself for many years. It's been terrible. Some of the displays here, you need to witness a quality one to remember how poor it's been."
Fernandes Back Where He Can Make an Impact
Fernandes Back Where He Can Make an Impact
One element of United's display that particularly impressed Neville was how Bruno Fernandes could influence proceedings as an attacking No. 10. Under Ruben Amorim, the Portuguese playmaker was relegated to a deeper position alongside Casemiro—a strategy that obviously didn't suit his abilities. Here, Carrick allowed the 31-year-old's talent to shine, positioning him just behind Mbeumo as the catalyst for numerous offensive moves.
"That's his optimal position, close to goal, where he can damage opponents, because he's an exceptional player. We don't want him retreating to a midfield partnership in front of three defenders," Neville reflected. "Is that his ideal role? Absolutely not. I witnessed so many elements that recalled what this club represents, their identity, what they should embody.
"I've consistently maintained Manchester United's formation requires a striker and then a No 10, whether it's [Dwight] Yorke, Cantona, [Wayne] Rooney, [Carlos] Tevez, or [Dimitar] Berbatov. Those players who drift behind the striker, Scholes fulfilled that role for years.
"We've always positioned that most gifted player near our striker to supply them, and that's what stirred my emotions during that goal."