Ten-man Manchester City claimed the derby spoils at Old Trafford, thanks to Erling Haaland’s controversial second-half strike.
Enzo Maresca’s side had Phil Foden sent off in the 23rd minute for kicking out at United captain Bruno Fernandes, but Haaland steered home his sixth goal of the season on the hour to keep his side’s 100 per cent start to the season intact.
It was a huge win for Maresca in his bid to show that Pep Guardiola won’t be missed and he raced down the touchline to celebrate with City fans at the final whistle.
United felt the goal should have been ruled out, with Enzo Fernandez clearly offside as Haaland hit the net. But VAR Matthew Donohue saw nothing wrong after the flag had been raised.
For Michael Carrick, this represented more proof that he still has plenty of work to do.
United have now been beaten twice in their opening four games of the season. They were schooled by City despite their numerical advantage.
United were still without Luke Shaw, so Patrick Dorgu came in at left-back, with Matheus Cunha preferred up front to in-form Benjamin Sesko.
Maresca gave Foden the opportunity to test Dorgu’s defensive fallibilities and was getting the better of the United defender until his rush of blood.
Carrick announced his return to Old Trafford as manager by giving Pep Guardiola a 2-0 beating last November that could have been even more emphatic.
But four points from the opening three games was not the kind of start United’s fans had been hoping for. Thousands of the club’s more militant supporters used the occasion to launch their latest protest against the ownership, this time over the exploitation of their loyalty in the way tickets are sold.
The early theme was City dominating possession and the home side looking to exploit their high line on the counter-attack.
Marcus Rashford, who was also born and raised in these parts, carried the fight to City after being given licence to roam from his starting position on the left flank.
City might have scored had Erling Haaland picked out Rayan Cherki with a simple pass instead of sending the ball straight to the back-peddling Lisandro Martinez.
Then Antoine Semenyo lofted a cross straight into Senne Lammens’ hands with Haaland stationed in front of an open goal.
When Foden kicked out at Fernandes after being fouled by the United captain, referee Michael Oliver rushed across to brandish a red card.
City responded with a fierce Cherki volley that was blocked by Kobbie Mainoo, although Gianluigi Donnarumma had to be sharp to sweep the ball off Cunha’s toes after Fernandes’ pass had split the visitors.
Rashford almost raised the roof as half-time approached. Enzo Fernandez clattered into Mainoo and 30 yards out and the winger beat Donnarumma brilliantly with the free-kick only for his effort to cannon back off the post.
There was still time for Maresca to be booked for protesting an another decision he felt was unfair.
United suffered again on the restart when Mainoo’s 25-yard drive flew off the post and struck Donnarumma on the back before bouncing into the Italian’s hands. Cunha also sent a shot over the angle.
Then, as he tends to do, Haaland was sparked into life by the sight off the ball heading his way at the far post.
Enzo Fernandez appeared offside when he threw himself at Josko Gvardiol’s cross, but VAR showed that the Argentine had not touched the ball, and the way Haaland despatched his shot into the roof of the net was masterful.
City almost scored again when Enzo Fernandez tried to pick out the bottom corner and Lammens managed to turn the ball against the post.
Carrick sent on Sesko and then saw Bryan Mbeumo send a header bouncing just wide.
City were outstanding in the way they kept United at arm’s length until the fifth minute of injury-time, when Fernandes put Mbeumo clear only for Donnarumma to produce a fine save.
