Post-match statistics clearly indicate it was not a good day for the Sky Blues' attacking line... Throughout the entire 90 minutes, they created no shots on target that forced Lammers to make a save.
On 17 Jan 2026 GMT+7, the Manchester derby at Old Trafford became a game where shots on target told the full story, on the night Michael Carrick made his debut as Manchester United's caretaker manager, leading the team to a 2-0 victory over Pep Guardiola's Manchester City, despite being considered inferior in almost every aspect before the match.
Reflecting back on the first leg of the season during Ruben Amorim's era, Manchester United suffered a 0-3 away defeat at the Etihad with no fight. However, in this game at Old Trafford, Carrick chose a starting eleven that raised questions among many fans upon seeing the lineup, but once the whistle blew, everything became immediately clear.
Manchester United played a disciplined game focused on counterattacks and precise finishing. Although the first half ended 0-0, the Red Devils clearly performed better, and the post-match statistics further confirmed this impression.
Throughout the 90 minutes, Manchester United had 10 shot opportunities, notably with 7 on target, converting 2 into goals. Additionally, they had 3 goals disallowed for offside, highlighting Manchester City's defensive problems stemming from multiple key injuries.
Conversely, Manchester City, with Premier League top scorer Erling Haaland as their striker, managed only 7 shot attempts in the entire match, and surprisingly, none were on target. This is a rare statistic for Pep's team, which boasts quality attackers like Jeremy Doku and new signing Antoine Semenyo.
Although Manchester City dominated possession with 68% compared to 32%, the quality of attacking play was clearly better from Manchester United, who mounted more effective and substantial offensive moves.