Honestly, if you walked into Old Trafford yesterday and expected the same old tactical slog, you were in for a massive shock. Manchester is officially red again after a 2-0 demolition of City, and the united starting lineup today looks more settled than it has in months. Michael Carrick has basically stepped back into the dugout and reminded everyone why he was such a cerebral player. He’s ditched the back-three experiments we saw under Ruben Amorim and gone back to a fluid, aggressive 4-2-3-1 that actually makes sense for this squad.
The vibes have shifted. Fast.
It wasn’t just about the win; it was how they did it. Seeing Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu both get on the scoresheet against the reigning champions tells you everything about where this team is heading under Carrick’s interim guidance. The atmosphere was electric.
The Defensive Granite: Lammens and the Back Four
Let’s talk about Senne Lammens for a second. With the keeper situation being a bit of a revolving door lately, Lammens looked incredibly composed against the Erling Haaland threat. He kept a clean sheet against arguably the best striker on the planet. That's no small feat.
In front of him, the defensive line-up featured:
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- Diogo Dalot at right-back, who was busy pocketing anyone who came down his flank.
- Harry Maguire, making a massive return from a hamstring injury that kept him out since November. He even hit the crossbar with a header!
- Lisandro Martinez, the "Butcher" doing what he does best: being a general nuisance and playing line-breaking passes.
- Luke Shaw, providing that veteran stability on the left, though he did pick up an early yellow card.
It’s kinda wild that Matthijs de Ligt is still sidelined with that nagging back issue. Carrick mentioned in his presser that the Dutchman’s recovery is going slower than they’d hoped. But honestly? With Maguire and Martinez looking this solid, they might not need to rush him back.
The Midfield Engine Room
The united starting lineup today depends entirely on the pivot. For the derby, Carrick went with the old-and-new combo of Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo.
Mainoo is just a joy to watch. He played his first full 90 minutes of the Premier League season in the derby and looked like he’d never been away. He’s the future of this club, period. Casemiro, despite the constant rumors about him heading to Saudi Arabia or his contract expiring this summer, put in a vintage shift before being replaced by Manuel Ugarte in the 81st minute.
There's a lot of talk about Ruben Neves arriving from Al-Hilal. Reports suggest a £20 million bid is on the table. If that happens, the midfield dynamic changes again, but for now, the Mainoo-Casemiro partnership is the heartbeat.
That Front Four is Scary
This is where it gets really interesting. Carrick didn't play a traditional "9" in the way people expected. He used Bryan Mbeumo as a mobile center-forward, and it worked like a charm. Mbeumo just got back from AFCON duty with Cameroon and didn't look tired at all. His 65th-minute goal was pure class.
On the wings, we had Amad Diallo and Patrick Dorgu. Amad was unlucky not to have a brace himself—one goal was ruled out for a marginal offside, and he hit the post later on. Dorgu, meanwhile, is proving to be a masterstroke of a signing. His goal in the 76th minute, coming off a beautiful cross from substitute Matheus Cunha, basically killed the game.
And then there's the captain, Bruno Fernandes. He’s the glue. Playing in that "10" role, he was everywhere, constantly probing and keeping the City defenders guessing.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Lineup
Most fans think the team is a mess without a permanent manager. But look at the bench. You've got Mason Mount, Joshua Zirkzee, and Marcus Rashford (who’s had a tough run) all fighting for spots. The depth is actually decent for the first time in a while.
The big miss right now is Noussair Mazraoui. He’s still away with Morocco, who are playing in the AFCON final tonight against Senegal. Once he's back, Dalot has real competition for that right-back spot, or we might see some tactical shifting.
Practical Next Steps for United Fans
If you're tracking the united starting lineup today for your fantasy team or just because you’re a die-hard, keep an eye on these three things:
- The Neves Factor: If Ruben Neves signs this week, expect him to go straight into the XI for the Arsenal game. He provides the passing range Carrick loves.
- Maguire’s Load Management: Harry is 32 now. Coming off a long-term hamstring injury, it’s unlikely he’ll start three games in a week. Expect rotation with Leny Yoro.
- The Mbeumo Role: Is he a winger or a striker? Carrick seems to love him through the middle. This might mean fewer minutes for Zirkzee or Sesko in the short term.
United travel to face league-leaders Arsenal next week. It’s a massive test. If they can keep this same intensity and tactical discipline, they might actually be back in the hunt for a top-four finish. For now, enjoy the win. It was a tactical masterclass from Carrick, and the players finally look like they’re having fun again.