Carrick pledged to Rangnick that he would lead Manchester United back to European competitions! The secret to beating Man City revealed, with Ferguson applauding.

Michael Carrick, observing the determined attitude of the Manchester United players in the Old Trafford tunnel, firmly believed the team would excel in the derby. His prediction was confirmed as the Red Devils delivered one of their finest performances this season with a 2-0 win over Guardiola’s Man City.

The game was more than just a win; Manchester United demonstrated a strong attacking desire and flawlessly implemented the tactics set by the coaching team. Carrick praised his coaching staff—assistants Steve Holland, Jonathan Woodgate, Jonny Evans, and Travis Binnion—who conveyed the tactical plan to the players and helped them grasp it quickly within just three days of training.

Reportedly, Carrick also positioned three analysts in the Old Trafford executive box to closely monitor Guardiola’s tactical adjustments. During the match, Man City’s possession and control were completely dominated by United; if not for two shots hitting the post and three offside calls, United could have crushed City by a larger margin. Data showed Manchester United’s expected goals at 3.8.

“When the players left the dressing room, they were eager and desperate to achieve a good result,” Carrick said. “I reminded them to stay calm and not rush, because emotions can cloud judgment and lead to impulsive mistakes. I think they found a good balance, and the fans were incredible. I mentioned yesterday that Old Trafford has a magical power, and today I felt it again. This is exactly what the team needed. Hopefully, this can be a starting point for us moving forward. We must not get too excited or carried away, but we can certainly enjoy this wonderful feeling.”

Manchester United right-back Diogo Dalot nearly made a rash mistake when he stomped on Doku’s shin, but fortunately, referee Anthony Taylor and the VAR team decided it was not a red card. Center-back Lisandro Martinez said that Carrick instructed them to take advantage of Old Trafford’s home support.

Martinez explained, “Carrick said something very important: we need to use the energy of the people. I think today we achieved that. As long as everyone is united, it’s impossible to lose at home.”

The Argentine defender added, “Against Man City, the whole team must defend collectively, not just one or two players. Today our defense was excellent, maintaining a tight formation and confidence in winning duels. I could sense a different atmosphere in my teammates’ eyes today. The team’s victory is what matters most to me. We’ve had a tough season, and the only way to respond is to show our true face and let people know who Manchester United really are.”

Martinez and his defensive partner Maguire performed steadily, leaving Man City forwards like Haaland and Semenyo with almost no opportunities. The 32-year-old Maguire started his first match after missing 10 games due to injury, playing the full 90 minutes. Carrick admitted he took a risk by starting him.

“Martinez and Harry (Maguire) worked very well together, laying a solid foundation for the team. I think experience was key in this match, understanding different situations. For Harry, it was a challenge, but he did exceptionally well,” Carrick said. “People sometimes take players’ performances for granted, but how long he could last in this game was a gamble for me. He had rested for eight or nine weeks and trained only two or three days. Could he complete the task smoothly? But that shows his importance. I believe he performed excellently, forming a stable defense with Martinez and building a strong base for the team.”

Manchester United owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the INEOS management team watched from the stands, and Carrick’s debut as coach left them cheering and excited. Before the game, Rangnick met with the Glazer family and the new coach. It is said that the 44-year-old Carrick promised to bring European football, even the Champions League, back to Old Trafford next season.

Currently, Manchester United sits 5th in the Premier League table. If Newcastle beats Wolves on Sunday, the Red Devils will drop to 6th. However, United is only one point behind 4th place Liverpool and 8 points behind Man City, so the battle for Champions League qualification remains open regardless of the next round’s result against Arsenal. Carrick made a demand to the players: “Now, every week must be like the Man City game!”

It is well known that in recent years, Manchester United has often beaten strong teams, including this season when Ruben Amorim defeated Liverpool at Anfield. However, such performances have not been consistent, and before the 40-year-old Portuguese coach was dismissed, he only managed one Premier League winning streak.

Carrick stated, “This is our challenge going forward: this level must become the norm. Of course, we won’t have matches filled with as much passion and emotion as today, but certain standards must be maintained. Consistency is key to any success, and once stability is achieved, success is within reach. We have another important game next week, and we have already laid a solid foundation to build upon.”

Before the Ferguson Stand, Carrick celebrated the second goal that secured Manchester United’s victory with a fist pump, while Ferguson smiled and applauded him from the stand. United did not consult the Old Trafford legend about the head coach appointment, but Ferguson showed support for Carrick during coffee with Jason Wilcox and Omar Belada.