Carrick outclassed Pep Guardiola<\/a> on the touchline, and in just three days, he and his staff devised a game plan that saw United beat City 2-0<\/a> in emphatic fashion.<\/p>\n Michael Carrick is off to the PERFECT START at Man Utd, and he wants more! <\/p>\n Why do you think it went SO RIGHT for Carrick against City?<\/p>\n \ud83d\udc47 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say <\/p>\n United should have scored more<\/a> after having three efforts chalked off by officials, and defensively, the Red Devils worked extremely hard to keep a clean sheet.<\/p>\n Lisandro Martinez fired back at Nicky Butt<\/a> with an outstanding performance, but Harry Maguire<\/a> was also exceptional alongside him.<\/p>\n Carrick\u2019s style of play<\/a> means that fans expected a return to a 4-2-3-1 formation, and it was Maguire and Martinez who were tasked with keeping City quiet.<\/p>\n Maguire enjoyed a flawless display, and he was praised by England legend John Terry after the full-time whistle.<\/p>\n On Terry\u2019s TikTok<\/a> page, he said: \u201cWow! What a performance from Man United\u2026 this is the Man United of old. Attacking, free-flowing football, pace up front. So good to see Carrick get his opportunity.<\/p>\n WHO was your man of the match for Manchester United vs City? <\/p>\n Let us know who you picked\u2026<\/p>\n \ud83d\udc47 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say <\/p>\n \u201cAlso, Man United are such a better team with Harry Maguire back in the squad today. I\u2019m not sure there\u2019s a more difficult game to come into \u2013 a Manchester derby, playing against the best striker in the world, Erling Haaland.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s just so good in both boxes, and so good on the ball too, driving out with the ball, so comfortable with it.<\/p>\n \u201cOn this form, Harry Maguire has to be on the plane for the World Cup.<\/p>\n Harry Maguire dominated Erling Haaland in the derby<\/p>\n Maguire showed a warrior spirit in the derby<\/a>, and in his first match since early November, he was able to maintain his intensity and aggression throughout.<\/p>\n The 32-year-old played the full 90 minutes and was completely dominant in defence. As per SofaScore<\/a>, Maguire won 100% of his tackles, was not dribbled past once and made seven defensive contributions.<\/p>\n Maguire also could have had a goal to his name after his header in the opening few minutes rattled the crossbar.<\/p>\n![\"Carrick](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/UIF-2026-01-17T174145.039-819x1024.png\")
Getty Images <\/p>\n![\"Erling](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-2256124689-1024x683.jpg\")
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt \u2013 AMA\/Getty ImagesJohn Terry praises Harry Maguire performance vs Man City<\/p>\n