Manchester United interim manager Michael Carrick heaped praise on Harry Maguire after the defender produced a dominant display in Saturday’s convincing 2-0 derby win over Manchester City at Old Trafford.
Maguire was outstanding at the centre of United’s back line, playing a crucial role in securing three points in Carrick’s first game in charge.
Second-half strikes from Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu sealed a memorable victory, although the margin of success could have been even greater.
United saw three additional goals ruled out for offside, with efforts from Bruno Fernandes, Amad and Mason Mount all chalked off.
The Red Devils carried a constant threat throughout the match. Casemiro and Mbeumo both forced strong saves from City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, while Maguire went close to breaking the deadlock early on when his header crashed against the post.
At the back, the England international was excellent alongside Lisandro Martinez, as the pair largely shut down City’s attacking options and restricted Pep Guardiola’s side to very few clear chances.
Speaking after the final whistle, Carrick said he was thrilled with both the result and the performance, describing the victory as an ideal start to his tenure.
He explained that the coaching staff felt the players were in the right emotional and mental place before kick-off, adding that their preparation and mindset played a major role in how the match unfolded.
Carrick also highlighted the quality of the opposition, noting that City’s squad depth and tactical versatility required United to be adaptable.
He praised his players for responding well to different scenarios, managing the game intelligently, and showing composure while following tactical instructions.
Bruno Fernandes was singled out for special praise, with Carrick applauding the captain’s influence in the number 10 role.
He pointed to Fernandes’ balance of creativity and discipline, particularly his defensive work alongside Mbeumo in protecting central areas.
Carrick emphasised the midfielder’s intelligence, positioning and technical quality as key factors in United’s control of the game.
In midfield and defence, Carrick commended Kobbie Mainoo’s performance alongside Casemiro, saying the pair gave the team a strong foundation.
He reserved especially high praise for Maguire and Martinez, describing them as a reliable defensive partnership that allowed United to build play confidently from the back.
Carrick acknowledged that starting Maguire carried some risk, as the defender had only recently returned to training after nearly two months out.
However, he stressed that Maguire’s character and commitment were evident, with the centre-back completing the match and delivering an exceptional display under pressure.
The interim boss also spoke about the squad’s hunger, saying the players were eager to succeed and open to learning.
While cautioning that desperation can sometimes be a drawback, Carrick expressed hope that such an important win could spark a positive run.
He also addressed a disputed incident involving Diogo Dalot and Jeremy Doku, stating that from his perspective Dalot won the ball and that the challenge was not excessive.
Carrick finished by praising the team’s collective effort, commending both attackers and defenders for their intensity, organisation and togetherness on a memorable day for Manchester United.
