It looked like a decent rebuild plan, but maybe the order of the rebuild was wrong. Manchester United bought three attackers last season and three midfielders this season, so a defensive rebuild is coming next June, but by that time it might be too late. So far, it’s the back four that is ’killing’ Michael Carrick but let’s not put the blame solely on them, Because in today’s 1-0 home defeat from Manchester City, everybody has to take their share of guilt. Even when Pep Guardiola was leading the Citizens, the Red Devils managed to defeat them a couple of times, but now, when the blue Manchester is in a sort of rebuild mode, with new players and a manager, United was nowhere near a victory. And what is even worse, City was playing 70 minutes with 10 men on the field and still managed to win in front of United’s crowd at Old Trafford! To be totally fair, even though the victory was deserved, the winning goal will be in center of a long debate. Even though VAR drew the line and concluded that Haaland was not in offside position, Enzo Fernandez was, and not only that, he was stopping Martinez to prevent a goal. The Referee's organization will have a long look at this, and will be in center of attention, again.United started the season badly with a loss to Hull but managed two wins and a draw in all competition, and their easy 4-0 home win against Sabah in the Champions League was a good prelude. But as of today, United are again in a panic mode. Only one win in first four games and a loss to a 10-men rival will again bring the supporters’ anger, especially since they had a chance to punish City after Foden’s dismissal. Instead, they allowed their arch-rivals to play even better with one man down, to create more chances, and what is worse, to score the winner. In the last four years, Man City have scored 17 Manchester derby goals. Fifteen of them have been scored by either Phil Foden and Erling Haaland. First one was red-carded after just 23 minutes but the second one did what he is paid for and brough the victory. Enzo Maresca was the better manager who prepared better and made his team play even better when Foden was dismissed, while Michael Carrick’s decision to keep both Cunha and Fernandes in the Champions League game for all 90 minutes just days before the derby will be analyzed.The first half had only two moments worth mentioning, but one was a game-changer. In the 23rd minute, Bruno Fernandes fouled Phil Foden and then kicked him once more, which provoked City’s player to give him one back. But it was too violent (VAR has described it as a kick with both feet into the stomach) and Foden was off, while the man who started it all didn’t even get a yellow card. There will be debates over this decision, but City actually played much better after this incident, but failed to create any chance. It was Marcus Rashford who delivered the second interesting moment in this game as he took a free-kick in the 45th minute and hit the post.Manchester City are the first away side in the competition’s history to win 10 Premier League games against Manchester United at Old Trafford.Manchester is blue. 🔵 pic.twitter.com/dWD8LrYirc— Squawka (@Squawka) September 13, 2026 The second half started where the first half ended – with a Manchester United's post. The second one of the game came this time from Kobbie Mainoo, who took a shot from over 20 meters and beat Donnarumma, but the ball hit the left hand post again. Cunha then tried from distance but the ball went well over the bar. That was United’s subtle pressure on their rivals, but Haaland silenced the crowd just three minutes later with a goal from a counter attack. The goal was initially nullified as an offside, but VAR check decided otherwise and suddenly, the guests took the lead. Carrick decided to take Sesko in, but just a minute later, City nearly took the second. Enzo Fernandez got the ball from Semenyo but his shot was pushed onto the post by Senne Lammens. Marc Guehi and Erling Haaland failed to communicate, both attacked and the ball flied wide in the 76th minute. Finally, after 70 minutes of having one man more on the field, United created a 100% chance in injury time. Mbeumo was all alone in front of Donnarumma, but the Italian keeper made the save of the day and gave his teammates all three points in a Manchester derby.PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 4SaturdayAston Villa – Nottingham Forest 1-1 (0-0)/Alysson 74 – Delap 46/Bournemouth – Brentford 2-2 (1-1)/Kluivert 38, Tavernier 52 – Schade 34, 56/Chelsea – Hull City 2-2 (1-2)/Rogers 7, Pedro 66 – Belloumi 28,34/Crystal Palace – Ipswich 2-2 (1-2)/Khalaili 14, Strand Larsen 75 – Emersonn 23, Davis 45, Flemming 90/Liverpool – Fulham 0-0Tottenham – Everton 0-0Sunderland – Arsenal 0-2 (0-0)/Guimaraes 58, Saka 90+7 pen/SundayCoventry – Brighton 0-5 (0-1)/Kostoulas 35, Yalcouye 51, Gross 70(p), Dunk 83, Ayari 90+4/Manchester United – Manchester City 0-1 (0-0)/Haaland 60/Monday22.00: (2.45) Leeds (3.40) Newcastle (2.85)***odds are subject to change***
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