United View: Derby day delight for Carrick's Reds

Recently, there has been some discussion about what exactly United’s DNA is, and while it’s hard to put into words exactly what that is, fans know it when they see it. And Saturday’s 2-0 win over Manchester City was the epitome of that. 

Free-flowing, aggressive attacking football that completely dismantled Pep’s Blues.

In Michael Carrick’s first game at the helm, there was much discussion about how he would set up his United side amidst a turbulent time at the football club.

It’s been said that rather than overcomplicating things, he would simplify the instructions, getting them to play in a way they knew. 

Allowing City to have the ball in wide areas, packing out the middle of the pitch, getting his side to show off their quality in tight areas and getting forward at speed and numbers whenever possible.

United only had 31% possession, but controlled the game, limiting the Blues to only one shot on target and looking like a serious threat every time they decided to forge an attack. 

Three offside goals and a defiant Donnarumma performance denied the Reds from scoring five or six goals.

It was similar to the type of performances he would have helped coach whilst working under Ole Gunnar Solskjær. 

Although this was a completely dominant display, rather than sitting deep and waiting for a moment to counter.

This was just the result fans had been hoping for, especially after the negative media attention leading up to this fixture. Bewilderingly, the majority stemmed from former United players.

Comments from Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes regarding Lisandro Martinez, as well as Roy Keane taking a pop at Carrick’s wife after his appointment, went way past the boundaries of what we would consider fair criticism. 

And it was deeply disappointing to see legends of the club behave in such a manner.

It’s indicative of the culture we live in that people in this current media landscape often don’t consider the consequences their words/actions can have in creating a toxic environment. 

By all means, give your opinion, but personal attacks and mockery are completely unwarranted.

Manchester United already receive huge scrutiny from the outside, but to see it come from players who helped build a legacy at the club is something no fan wants to see.

Thankfully, the mood is bubbling at the moment, living off the high of a derby win and one of the best performances of the season from the Reds. 

One that has left many believing that Champions League qualification is feasible, provided they can continue this level in the second half of the season.

Arsenal will undoubtedly be a difficult test, but the real questions will come in games when United will have the greater share of possession and are expected to win. 

The Reds have already squandered so many opportunities to get wins over sides in the bottom half of the table this season.

However, with Carrick in charge, maybe he can find the solutions to unlocking teams that play in a low block. 

He already possesses great attacking talent in his squad, and with the return of Harry Maguire to provide box coverage, United could start to turn some of these missed opportunities into three points.

Whilst United are rightly buzzing about Saturday, it’s important to remember that it’s only been one game. 

Time will tell if Carrick can steer this side into European qualification and potentially make a claim to be the permanent manager/head coach.

The former midfield maestro got United playing a style of football many have been begging for, for years now, at his first attempt, nonetheless. 

Don’t expect expectations to let up anytime soon. 

Another result like this at the Emirates would only further cement the idea of what United’s DNA is.