Manchester City were reduced to 10 men in the first half of the derby against Manchester United at Old Trafford when Phil Foden was sent off for kicking Bruno Fernandes in the stomach but took the lead after the break with a controversial Erling Haaland goal.
With 23 minutes on the clock, Foden and Man United skipper Fernandes tangled to leave the former on the floor, on top of the ball. The Portuguese then appeared to try and kick the ball but caught the England international in the back instead, prompting a moment of fury from Foden as he kicked out with both feet and contacted Fernandes in the stomach, causing referee Michael Oliver to dish out a straight red card.
Just after the hour mark, Haaland expertly finished Josko Gvardiol’s deflected cross at the back post, with the goal initially ruled out for offside. But, after a long VAR check, the goal was awarded, with Haaland narrowly onside thanks to Patrick Dorgu’s outstretched foot and the offside Enzo Fernandez not having touched the ball with his attempted diving header.
That was the in-game drama at Old Trafford but, before kick-off, United fans protested against the club’s ownership in response to the season ticketing “fiasco” that resulted in 685 ticket bans. Fans gathered near the Bishops Blaize pub near Old Trafford to protest both the Glazer family and Sir Jim Ratcliffe, with chants directed at both parties.
Follow all the latest updates below.
Read MorePhil Foden sent off in Manchester derby for wild kick on Bruno Fernandes
Man United fans protests against season ticket ‘fiasco’ ahead of derby
The three words that reveal how Man City left Man United in the dust
Manchester derby – latest updates
- Manchester United host Man City at Old Trafford in the Premier League | Live on Sky Sports
- United fans protest against season ticket ‘fiasco’ ahead of derby
- 60' GOAL! Haaland strike given by VAR amid huge confusion over offside [MNU 0-0 MNC]
- 23' RED CARD! Foden sent off for kicking Fernandes in the stomach [MNU 0-0 MNC]
Man United 1-0 Man City
17:57 , Will Castle69 mins: OFF THE POST! So nearly a second for City!
Enzo Fernandez tries to just pass it into the bottom-right corner but Senne Lammens gets down to get a crucial touch and push the ball onto the woodwork.
Man United 1-0 Man City
17:56 , Will Castle67 mins: So, we’ve now seen VAR’s offside replays and it reveals Patrick Dorgu’s foot was playing Erling Haaland onside. It sure didn’t look like that from the original replays, but that’s why the goal has stood.
Haaland moving towards another record
17:54 , Richard Jolly at Old TraffordHere’s Richard Jolly inside Old Trafford:
A ninth Manchester derby goal for Haaland. This could be another record he ends up possessing.
GOAL GIVEN! Man United 1-0 Man City (Haaland, 60')
17:51 , Will CastleWow. THE GOAL IS GIVEN!
We are all very confused. Gary Neville says he needs the offside rule explained to him.
Erling Haaland looks in an offside position, like night and day. Is it to do with Dorgu’s touch? Enzo flinging himself at the ball? We don’t know. But it’s 1-0.
Man United 0-0 Man City
17:49 , Will Castle62 mins: The VAR is saying that Erling Haaland is in an ONSIDE position. We are still waiting for confirmation of the goal.
NO GOAL! Man United 0-0 Man City
17:49 , Will Castle60 mins: Erling Haaland has the ball in the net... but the flag goes up!
It all starts with an error from Patrick Dorgu that is pounced on by Iliman Ndiaye, who works it out wide to Antoine Semenyo.
Josko Gvardiol eventually fires the ball across the box with Haaland converting well - but he looks to have gone a tad early.
However... there’s a VAR check going on. And it’s lengthy.
Time for Sesko?
17:45 , Richard Jolly at Old TraffordHere’s Richard Jolly inside Old Trafford:
Much more intent from United after the break. Perhaps Carrick, in his mild-mannered way, has galvanised them. A personal view is that they could do with an actual centre-forward on, in Sesko.
Man United 0-0 Man City
17:44 , Will Castle55 mins: Matheus Cunha beats two men to get into the box but aims for the top corner from a tight angle rather than pass. Always going to be difficult to score that.
The atmosphere has gone up a gear inside Old Trafford.
Mancunian madness
17:41 , Richard Jolly at Old TraffordHere’s Richard Jolly inside Old Trafford:
One Mancunian has been sent off. Two more have hit the woodwork.
Man United 0-0 Man City
17:40 , Will Castle51 mins: OFF THE POST! Another woodwork strike from Man United!
Kobbie Mainoo lets fly from the edge of the box and it beats Gianluigi Donnarumma, only to hit the left post and bounce dangerously into the back of the City goalkeeper.
Luckily for Donnarumma, the ball goes dead instead of bouncing into his own net and he gathers, a relieved man.
United then come again through Marcus Rashford who fires into the side-netting.
That’s injected some venom into this game.
Man United 0-0 Man City
17:37 , Will Castle50 mins: Dangerous free-kick delivery from Enzo Fernandez is met by Ruben Dias, and his header in the box is deflected for a corner. He has that look that had it not taken a nick off a United head, that might have been going goalwards.
Nothing comes from the resulting set piece.
Man United 0-0 Man City
17:35 , Will Castle47 mins: Marcus Rashford tries to create something in the box as his pacy delivery is deflected into the path of Diogo Dalot. His effort flies over.
BACK UNDERWAY! Man United 0-0 Man City
17:33 , Will CastleAnd we’re off again.
One change for City - Iliman Ndiaye is on for Rayan Cherki.
The game kicks off with Michael Carrick doing an interview with Sky Sports while walking to his technical area. Odd.
He says he didn’t see what happened with Phil Foden’s red card.
WATCH: Foden sent off for kicking Fernandes in stomach
17:32 , Will CastlePhil Foden is SENT OFF in the Manchester derby! 🟥 pic.twitter.com/sDkHoLMnjL
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 13, 2026
Calm and composed from Marc Guehi
17:31 , Will CastleUnlike his team-mate, no sign of red mist from Marc Guehi in his half-time interview (still wrapping my head around that concept). All the sensible answers.
"We've reacted well, hopefully it can carry on"
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 13, 2026
Marc Guehi speaks at half-time about Phil Foden's red card 🎙️ pic.twitter.com/DfmMXr56lK
Gary Neville: 'Painful moment for Foden'
17:29 , Will CastleMore reaction on the Phil Foden red card from Gary Neville.
“A painful moment for Foden to have to make that run down the long tunnel,” Neville said on commentary.
“I'm surprised Fernandes didn't get a yellow for the kick on the floor, he's certainly pulled a reaction out of Foden which will help his teammates.”
Roy Keane: Fernandes kicks Foden - he is the one who is violent
17:27 , Will CastleRoy Keane has come to Phil Foden’s defence and called out Bruno Fernandes for kicking the Manchester City man, sparking the red card offence.
"Foden does react. The strange thing is that Fernandes gives a kick... for me, he is the one who is violent here,” he says on Sky Sports.
"I don't think it's a red card for Foden, l really don't."
Micah Richards added: "Fernandes catches him! I don't agree with Foden's response, but it's Fernandes who started it."
Why was Foden sent off?
17:23 , Will Castle#MUNMCI – 23’
— Premier League Match Centre (@PLMatchCentre) September 13, 2026
The referee’s call of red card to Foden for violent conduct was checked and confirmed by VAR.
REF: “Red card Phil Foden – kick out into the body of Bruno”.
VAR: “That looks like a clear red card to me. Looks to be a secondary movement. Confirming the red card for…
HALF-TIME! Man United 0-0 Man City
17:22 , Will Castle
HALF-TIME! Man United 0-0 Man City
17:18 , Will CastleThere goes the whistle. Goalless at the break, with United a man up thanks to a moment of madness from Phil Foden.
Terrific effort from Rashford
17:17 , Richard Jolly at Old TraffordHere’s Richard Jolly inside Old Trafford:
Terrific free-kick from Rashford but United have still only had one shot on target despite facing 10 men.
Man United 0-0 Man City
17:17 , Will Castle45+1 mins: Two minutes of stoppage time.
Up the other end, Enzo Fernandez wants a penalty after being supposedly wrestled to the ground by Harry Maguire. Would have been very soft if given.
Man United 0-0 Man City
17:16 , Will Castle45 mins: OFF THE POST! Marcus Rashford stands over it... it’s over the wall and off the post!
Gianluigi Donnarumma was beaten. The closest we’ve come to a goal so far.
Man United 0-0 Man City
17:14 , Will Castle44 mins: The crowd are really beginning to get frustrated as we approach half-time. United have so far failed to make this man advantage matter.
But, they do now have a free-kick in a dangerous position, needlessly given away by Enzo Fernandez.
Man United 0-0 Man City
17:07 , Will Castle36 mins: City have reacted really well to going a man down. United are the team who look up against it, and the visitors are really beginning to knock at the door.
United unsure with man advantage
17:06 , Richard Jolly at Old TraffordHere’s Richard Jolly inside Old Trafford:
United seem a bit unsure what to do. They like to counter-attack but with a man advantage, the onus is actually on them to make something happen.
Man United 0-0 Man City
17:05 , Will Castle34 mins: Nice work from Rayan Cherki to get into the box, before shimmying his man and dinking a cross to the back post.
Nobody’s there, however. Antoine Semenyo is well out of the game. He gives his ankle a kick, maybe he’s picked up a knock.
Man United 0-0 Man City
17:03 , Will Castle32 mins: Decent opening for United as the ball is slipped through for Marcus Rashford in the box, but Gianluigi Donnarumma comes out and gets there first.
City reshuffle with 10 men
17:02 , Richard Jolly at Old TraffordHere’s Richard Jolly inside Old Trafford:
City are playing a 4-4-1 formation now, with Rayan Cherki moving to the right flank. Or being tucked in off it, anyway.
Man United 0-0 Man City
17:01 , Will Castle26 mins: Important block by Kobbie Mainoo to block a shot from outside the box following United’s failure to properly clear a corner.
He’s had a good game so far, something that may bode well with Thomas Tuchel watching from the stands - he was in the England squad at the World Cup, but didn’t play a minute.
Phil Foden on the other hand... well, today won’t help his case for a call-up.
Foden leaves his mark on the derby (and Fernandes)
16:56 , Richard Jolly at Old TraffordHere’s Richard Jolly inside Old Trafford:
Phil Foden was supposed to be a derby specialist, a man who kept scoring against United. He has made his mark today, but in a very different way.
RED CARD! Man United 0-0 Man City
16:55 , Will Castle23 mins: Phil Foden is SENT OFF!
The local boy on Man City’s side is given his marching orders after kicking Bruno Fernandes in the stomach while down.
Michael Oliver was instant with his decision. Foden is sticking around - he feels he’s been hard done by, and that Fernandes should also be punished for putting a small kick in before he retaliated.
But it won’t be overturned, VAR sticks with Oliver’s call. Early bath for Foden.
Man United 0-0 Man City
16:53 , Will Castle22 mins: Nearly a nightmare from Diogo Dalot, who completely fails to deal with a long searching ball and is dispossessed by Antoine Semenyo on the byline.
Senne Lammens is out of his goal but is grateful to gather Semenyo’s cross.
Haaland gets a touch
16:51 , Richard Jolly at Old TraffordHere’s Richard Jolly inside Old Trafford:
Erling Haaland had no touches in the first 17 minutes. At least he has had one now.
Man United 0-0 Man City
16:50 , Will Castle19 mins: Big let-off for Bruno Fernandes and Manchester United.
He completely misjudges a backwards pass and ends up setting Erling Haaland away, charging towards the box with Rayan Cherki in support.
Fortunately for the United skipper, Martinez stops Haaland’s pass from getting through to Cherki, who would have had a clear sight at goal.
Man United 0-0 Man City
16:48 , Will Castle17 mins: Bruno Fernandes opts against putting the ball in the box, going wide to Bryan Mbeumo before Kobbie Mainoo eventually whips one in.
It’s an absolute beauty of a cross, too, but Marcus Rashford just seems to hesitate when meeting it with his head at the back post and the ball ends up looping off his skull and out for a goal kick.
Might have been offside anyway.
Man United 0-0 Man City
16:47 , Will Castle16 mins: Enzo Fernandez is not happy after the referee penalises him for a foul against Matheus Cunha, and now United have another chance to create from a set play.
Man United 0-0 Man City
16:42 , Will Castle12 mins: Matheus Cunha is urged to shoot from range by the fans but drags his shot well wide.
City have come to dominate
16:41 , Richard Jolly at Old TraffordHere’s Richard Jolly inside Old Trafford:
Very positive start from City, encapsulated by a flick from Cherki a minute ago. They have come to try and dominate. Although as United prefer to counter-attack, that could play into their hands.
Man United 0-0 Man City
16:40 , Will Castle9 mins: Incredible switch by Harry Maguire to Marcus Rashford sparks a move forward for United, with Bruno Fernandes then trying to lift one into the box for Diogo Dalot to latch onto.
He jumps and stretches but can’t get to it.
Man United 0-0 Man City
16:38 , Will Castle6 mins: Elliot Anderson leaves Marcus Rashford in a heap and United have a free-kick. Rashford, United’s local boy, hasn’t played in a Manchester derby in the Premier League for 924 days.
The free-kick runs all the way through and is picked up by Rashford on the left, who lays it off to Lisandro Martinez to shoot from outside the box - straight at Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Man United 0-0 Man City
16:36 , Will Castle“The way you treat us is a disgrace,” read a banner held by Manchester United fans as the teams walked out. The protests against the ownership following the season ticket debacle continue inside Old Trafford.
Man United 0-0 Man City
16:34 , Will Castle4 mins: Enzo Fernandez drives into space towards the Man United box and lets fly, but his shot is deflected wide.
Bright start from City.
Man United 0-0 Man City
16:33 , Will Castle2 mins: Harry Maguire brings down Rayan Cherki for a cynical foul - later in the game and that’s probably a yellow card.
Semenyo on left for City - an opportunity missed?
16:33 , Richard Jolly at Old TraffordHere’s Richard Jolly inside Old Trafford:
Antoine Semenyo starts on the left for City. Given Patrick Dorgu's performance against Sabah at left-back on Thursday, there ought to have been a case for using Semenyo on City's right, up against him.
KICK-OFF! Man United 0-0 Man City
16:31 , Will CastleWe are UNDERWAY!
Closing in on kick-off
16:26 , Will CastleWe are just a few minutes away from kick-off at Old Trafford.
The sprinklers are turning off, the players are lining up in the tunnel - all the action, next!
Elsewhere in the Premier League
16:23 , Will CastleManchester City will be hoping they don’t become the second team in sky blue to be utterly demolished today after Coventry were routed 5-0 at home to Brighton.
The pick of the bunch? This absolute worldie from none other than Lewis Dunk. Goal of the season contender.
"An absolute WORLDIE from range!"
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 13, 2026
Lewis Dunk scores a contender for goal of the season 🤯 pic.twitter.com/m5bPzm5Wm3
Man United fans protest against season ticket ‘fiasco’ ahead of derby
16:20 , Chris WilsonManchester United fans have protested against the club’s ownership ahead of the Manchester derby in response to the season ticketing ‘”fiasco” that resulted in 685 ticket bans.
The club recently announced the season ticket bans after a length investigation into ticket touting, with the manner of the investigation criticised by fans. Another 464 supporters received a final warning or a reduced sanction, with a total of 1,617 accounts identified as requiring further investigation and action.
Ahead of the Premier League match against Manchester City, fans gathered near the Bishops Blaize pub near Old Trafford to protest both the Glazer family and Sir Jim Ratcliffe, with chants directed at both parties.
Man United fans protests against season ticket ‘fiasco’ ahead of derby
Getting warm
16:15 , Will Castle
Luke Shaw 'very close' to return
16:10 , Will CastleMichael Carrick was just speaking to Sky Sports and he revealed that Luke Shaw is “very close” to a return from injury.
The left-back missed midweek’s Champions League thrashing of Sabah, with Patrick Dorgu filling in. The Dane does the same today.
Despite making progress, Carrick confirms Shaw is “not quite there”. The suggestion is that he will be back very soon.
Enemy territory
16:05 , Will Castle
Neville: Midfield 'a massive part of the game'
16:00 , Chris Wilson“It’s a big game for Man City’s midfield, not just because it’s a derby,” says former Man Utd defender Gary Neville on Sky.
"Man Utd’s strength can be nullified by City’s midfield stopping the counter attack. It’s a massive part of the game today because you know Cunha, Rashford, Fernandes and Mbeumo will counter and they will do it well. They did it last year against Man City.
“So, it is critical for Man City’s midfield to stop that at source. I bet Maresca’s team talk has been 50 to 60 per cent on the United side, purely talking about how they pen them in and make sure they sustain attacks and don’t let them out. A lot of it is on the midfield,” he added.
Match stats
15:55 , Chris WilsonMan Utd have won nine of their 10 Premier League home matches since Michael Carrick took over in January, and they’ve scored at least twice in all of those games.
As for City, they’re looking to win their opening four matches of a Premier League season for the seventh time.
Enzo Maresca backs Elliot Anderson’s swipe at Man United ahead of Manchester derby
15:50 , Chris WilsonEnzo Maresca has said it is “normal” that Elliot Anderson described Manchester City as the “kings of Manchester” in a swipe at Manchester United.
The midfielder was a Manchester United target before joining City for £116m in the summer and marked his arrival by saying his new club were the monarchs of Manchester.
Manager Maresca cited City’s success in the last decade-and-a-half, when they have won eight Premier League titles, to support why Anderson, 23, would think that.
Enzo Maresca backs Elliot Anderson’s swipe at Man United ahead of Manchester derby
Match stats
15:46 , Chris WilsonMan Utd won this fixture 2-0 last season, but the Red Devils have not won consecutive home matches against their rivals since winning three in a row between 2008/09 and 2010/11.
However, City have only won one of their last four matches against United, having drawn one and lost two.
Benjamin Sesko offers injury update after belated first start of season
15:40 , Chris WilsonBenjamin Sesko believes his injury problems are in the past as he said his troublesome shin is “perfect” now.
The striker made a belated first start of the season on Thursday, scoring in Manchester United’s 4-0 win over Sabah in the Champions League.
Sesko had come off the bench in United’s previous three matches, as they tried to ease him into action after sitting out much of pre-season, and Slovenian believes the patient approach has worked.
Benjamin Sesko offers injury update after belated first start of season
Cunha preferred to Sesko, Foden picked as United's bogey man
15:35 , Richard Jolly at Old TraffordHere’s Richard Jolly inside Old Trafford:
“Michael Carrick prefers Matheus Cunha to Benjamin Sesko in the Manchester United starting 11 while, with Luke Shaw missing, Patrick Dorgu will play at left-back. Enzo Maresca picks the derby specialist Phil Foden, even though he has not scored a goal in 2026. But he does score a lot against United.”
Manchester United fans protest after season ticket fiasco
15:30 , Chris WilsonHere are the scenes from the area around Old Trafford earlier on...
Man City line-up
15:21 , Will CastleJust the one change for Enzo Maresca’s side from the side that beat Porto in the Champions League, with Elliot Anderson starting in place of Ayyoub Bouaddi. Had things gone differently in the summer, he could have been playing in red today.
Nico O’Reilly is back from injury but starts on the bench.
Man City XI: Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Guehi, Gvardiol; Anderson, Fernandez; Foden, Cherki, Semenyo; Haaland.
Subs: Rulli, Ndiaye, Kovacic, Reis, Bouaddi, O'Reilly, Allan, Khusanov, Lewis
Your Manchester derby line-up! 💪🩵
— Manchester City (@ManCity) September 13, 2026
XI | Donnarumma, Nunes, Dias (C), Guéhi, Gvardiol, Anderson, Fernández, Foden, Cherki, Semenyo, Haaland
SUBS | Rulli, Ndiaye, Kovačić, Reis, Bouaddi, O'Reilly, Allan, Khusanov, Lewis
🤝 @etihad pic.twitter.com/9h5CGprFaF
Man United line-up
15:16 , Will CastleMarcus Rashford comes into the side for Benjamin Sesko despite the Slovenian’s good form, moving Bryan Mbeumo into striker.
Patrick Dorgu once again fills in at left-back, like he did in the Champions League in midweek, with Luke Shaw yet to make full fitness.
Diogo Dalot and Harry Maguire also start in place of Noussair Mazraoui and Leny Yoro.
Man United XI: Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Dorgu; Mainoo, Tielemans; Cunha, Fernandes, Rashford; Mbeumo.
Subs: Darlow, Heaven, Mazraoui, Yoro, Andrey Santos, Mount, Lacey, Sesko, Zirkzee.
Representing the Reds on derby day... 📋❤️🔥
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 13, 2026
COME ON UNITED! 🗣️🗣️🗣️
Team news
15:10 , Lawrence OstlereManchester derby line-ups and full team news dropping very shortly...
Derby atmosphere building
15:05 , Will Castle
Yesterday in the Premier League: Liverpool's drab draw
15:00 , Lawrence OstlereIf part of the challenge for Andoni Iraola when he took the Liverpool job was mastering the art of winning Premier League games after midweek Champions League dates, he failed his first test. An Anfield afternoon against a side with the wrong sort of 100 percent record ought to have been the ideal introduction to such assignments.
Instead, Fulham got their first point of the season. A Spanish manager with a playing career at right-back had much to savour; but it was Alvaro Arbeloa, not Iraola. A terrific defender under Rafa Benitez, Arbeloa contributed to many a clean sheet in his time at Liverpool. Now Fulham have a first in the Premier League in his reign. Having conceded three goals to left wing-backs against Crystal Palace last week, they conceded none to Liverpool’s three £100m men.
Read more, by Richard Jolly at Anfield:
Why Liverpool’s drab draw with Fulham showed Andoni Iraola’s biggest issue
Yesterday in the Premier League: Chelsea's defence is 'soft'
14:52 , Lawrence OstlereIn the end, Chelsea clung on for a brave point. Emiliano Martinez made an important late save. They survived a barrage of set-pieces. And when Cole Palmer stood over a free-kick 30 yards from goal, with the last kick of the game, he pumped it into the stands just to be safe. A draw against a team who were, for much of the afternoon, top of the league? You have to take it.
Of course that wasn’t quite the mood at Stamford Bridge when the final whistle blew on this 2-2 draw.
Read more, by Lawrence Ostlere at Stamford Bridge:
Chelsea’s ‘soft’ problem is impossible for Xabi Alonso’s luxury attack to solve
Yesterday in the Premier League: Spurs draw another blank
14:39 , Lawrence OstlereAfter spending hundreds of millions trying to banish years of neurosis, Tottenham Hotspur so quickly have another hang-up.
They can’t score and, as this inevitable 0-0 draw with Everton went on, they looked less likely to score. That is the greater worry than a worsening record.
Roberto De Zerbi even reached for Italian football phrases, to talk about how this team needs to be “unblocked”.
Read more, by Miguel Delaney at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium:
What another Premier League stalemate revealed about Tottenham and Roberto De Zerbi
Sesko confident ahead of derby
14:25 , Lawrence OstlereSesko was delighted after scoring his first goal at home this season.
"Definitely, the confidence boost here is definitely big. Now, it’s important to recover very well and obviously focus on the derby," he told TNT Sports.
Sesko form gives United a boost
14:14 , Lawrence OstlereBenjamin Sesko is yet to play a full game for Manchester United since returning from a shin injury last month but the Slovenia forward's form is a boost for manager Michael Carrick ahead of the Premier League derby against Manchester City.
Sesko came on for the last 20 minutes and struck late in a 2-2 league draw at Everton last weekend, and followed that up with another goal in Thursday's 4-0 Champions League win against Azerbaijani side Sabah at home.
"There's not many around that give you what Ben does in terms of physicality, playing on the last line and his speed to run in behind," Carrick told reporters about 23-year-old Sesko, who missed nearly three months after getting injured in May.
"It's great to have him back at this level after him working to get his fitness back. A couple of goals, good minutes in him, we're really pleased with him."
Maresca can call upon plenty of derby experience
13:58 , Lawrence OstlereWhile Carrick has been involved in many Manchester derbies, his City counterpart Enzo Maresca will lead his team into it for the first time on Sunday as he seeks to continue his 100% start to the post-Guardiola era.
"I have been involved in different ones. The worst one is Olympiacos v Panathinaikos. That is very hot," the Italian said.
"Again, I was in Italy with Juventus, so you went to Torino, in Seville, Betis, as a manager, with Chelsea, different ones.
"I think they are all special games for everyone, for the fans, first of all, for the club, for the players, for the coaching staff. I want these kind of games, I like these kind of games. The most important thing is the players are focussed."
Carrick insists he's at United for long term
13:45 , Lawrence OstlereCarrick's calm authority resulted in 12 wins from his 17 Premier League games in charge last season, with only two defeats. Confidence was high ahead of the new season that the momentum would be maintained.
Despite an indifferent start to the season and defensive fragility, Carrick sticks to the mantra that he is still in the early days of a long-term plan to restore the club's fortunes.
"All the decisions we were making were as if we were going to be here for a period of time. I never knew how long that was going to be, and I still don't, but you're always planning for what we want the future to look like and the direction we want to go, and that was from day one," he said.
Carrick: 'There's a lot riding on the game'
13:33 , Lawrence Ostlere"There's no way we're assuming: 'We won last year, we can do the same things and everything will be the same'," Carrick, who was installed on a full-time basis in May, told reporters when asked how he is approaching Sunday, compared to the clash in January when United outplayed Pep Guardiola's side.
"I understand the expectation. Everything was quite fresh and new then, we didn't really know where it was going to go. The players, myself, the coaches, you guys, were all waiting to see how it would go, and it was a quick turnaround.
"I think the confidence we've built over a period of time, and the feeling that we're getting better all the time, I think that helps us. We know it's a big game, we know it's an important game. There's a lot riding on it."
Carrick under pressure to deliver major statement
13:18 , Lawrence OstlereMichael Carrick's first Manchester derby as interim manager brought a victory and bought him time.
Eight months later, after leading United to a third-placed finish and being appointed on a permanent basis, expectation has soared and Sunday's clash with Manchester City is being viewed as a measure of how far his rebuilding job has progressed.
United's former midfield schemer has overseen only one win, against Ipswich Town, in the opening three Premier League matches. A humbling loss at Hull City and a draw at Everton have tempered optimism generated by last season's revival.
Thursday's 4-0 victory over Sabah in the Champions League was a welcome boost ahead of the visit of City, but Carrick knows Sunday will provide the acid test.
Manchester derby
13:06 , Lawrence OstlereManchester United host Manchester City in the derby at Old Trafford as the two clubs battle for bragging rights.
Michael Carrick has endured a tough start to the season with disappointing results at newly promoted Hull City and at Everton, but a victory here would boost the mood in the red half of Manchester – as well as hopes of finishing above City for the first time in 14 years now that Pep Guardiola’s reign is over.
Enzo Maresca’s City side have not been wholly convincing either, struggling past Coventry City at the Etihad Stadium last time out, but they still have a perfect record in the Premier League and can open up an eight-point gap over United with victory at the home of their fierce rivals.
Who will triumph in the Manchester derby?
Manchester derby
13:00 , Lawrence OstlereGood afternoon and welcome along to live coverage of the Manchester derby. Who will land a blow in the first derby of the season? We’re looking forward to this one...
