Manchester United 2-0 Man City: How Michael Carrick’s team managed its opponents

Carrick has even won plaudits from former captains Gary Neville and Roy Keane, who have raised doubts and criticism over his appointment in recent days.

“Michael Carrick is in heaven,” Neville told Sky Sports. “Manchester City can’t believe it. Huge numbers – [Gianluigi] Donnarumma, Rodri, Haaland – shaking their heads, and the biggest of all – Pep Guardiola – is stunned. They were run rough.”

“It was a perfect afternoon for United,” Keane added. “It’s not like they’re lucky.”

Former United striker Wayne Rooney told BBC Sport: “The fans have been starving for it over the last few years. I know it’s only one performance but I think everyone can see how exciting this team is.”

“You hear everyone, especially us ex-players, talking about United’s DNA and that has just shown what it is. The work rate without the ball, the wingers coming back to fill in and helping the full-backs.

“This is the best performance I have seen from Manchester United in a very long time.”

United hit the woodwork twice, the referee ruled out three goals for offside, and Donnarumma made four excellent saves. His second-half reaction to deny Casemiro as he tried to turn the rebound into the net, after an initial stop by Amad Diallo, was so good that the Brazilian left his shirt in frustration.

There has been a lot of talk this week about which managers United should try to sign in the summer, and Carrick should be viewed as merely a stopgap.

However, these views ignore the amplification of emotions resulting from performance and results.

For the first time in a very long time, Old Trafford resonated with the noise of fans who responded positively to a team giving their best and presenting a game plan that, in the context of this 40-game season, was enough to secure victory in a very important match.

“The players have definitely fed off of that,” Carrick said. “They left the dressing room incredibly desperate to do well.

“I was almost thinking: ‘Don’t be so desperate, because that can cloud your judgment and you make decisions because you’re emotionally invested in it.’ But they struck the right balance and the fans were amazing.

“I said yesterday that this could be a magical place. It does some funny things, and getting that feeling is exactly what we want.”

“It’s something we need to build on. We don’t get too carried away, but you have to enjoy that feeling when you get it.”