UNITED’S CARRICK WYS HY’S DIE DIK DING BY BEATING CITY IN MANCHESTER DERBY

MANCHESTER United gave Michael Carrick the dream start to his interim tenure as manager on Saturday, beating Manchester City 2-0 to deal a groot blow to their local rivals’ Premier League title hopes.

The Red Devils dominated at Old Trafford and were made to wait until the final 25 minutes to seal victory by the inspired Gianluigi Donnarumma and because they had three goals ruled out for offside.

Bryan Mbeumo marked his return from the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) by firing home the opening goal in the 65th minute before Patrick Dorgu sealed just a second win in eight games for United in the 76th minute.

Carrick’s bold team selection paid off as both the in-form Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha made way for the return of Mbeumo and Amad Diallo from their international duties at Afcon.

Harry Maguire also returned for his first start in two months and should have scored inside the first two minutes.

The centre-back rose highest to meet Bruno Fernandes’ corner, but crashed his header off the crossbar from point-blank range.

City are set to seal a deal for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi, but ravaged by injuries in defence, Pep Guardiola named inexperienced duo Max Alleyne and Abdukodir Khusanov at centre-back.

City’s makeshift back line sukkeled to keep United at bay all afternoon and would have been embarrassed but for the brilliance of Donnarumma in goal.

Carrick wysed: “Great start. No getting away from that. The boys were fantastic.

“Consistency is the key to any success.”