Manchester United secured a significant victory against rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford on March 15, 2024. The match saw Bryan Mbeumo scoring a pivotal opening goal in the 65th minute, followed shortly by a second from Patrick Dorgu. Although Mason Mount appeared to add a third goal, it was disallowed after a VAR check revealed he was offside.
Mbeumo’s performance was enhanced by his earlier assist to Dorgu’s goal, showcasing a strong partnership. Matheus Cunha, who had provided the pass to Mount, was instrumental in the attack, while Amad also returned from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to join the starting lineup. Benjamin Sesko and Cunha had to make way, with the latter not even making an appearance in the match.
Amidst transfer speculation, Joshua Zirkzee did not feature in the squad, leading to questions about his absence. According to BBC Sport, United sources confirmed that Zirkzee was sidelined due to a minor injury rather than any transfer-related issues. Despite this, he was present at the stadium and celebrated the victory heartily, taking to social media to express his excitement with an emphatic message: “F****** get in!!!!” He shared a photo of himself celebrating alongside teammates Matthijs de Ligt and Tom Heaton, peppered with laughing emojis.
The win temporarily elevated Manchester United to fourth place in the Premier League, although Liverpool later regained that position after a 1-1 draw with Burnley. Both teams have faced inconsistencies this season, which has raised expectations for better performances moving forward.
United’s manager, Michael Carrick, addressed the need for consistency in his post-match comments. “That’s the challenge, ultimately, and I think it needs to be a version of normal,” he stated. He acknowledged the emotional intensity of the victory but emphasized the importance of maintaining high standards. “Consistency is the key to any success, and if you can find that, then you’re on to a winner,” Carrick added.
Looking ahead, Zirkzee will be eager to return to action under Carrick’s management. However, his potential injury and the limited fixtures available could impact his playing time in the coming weeks. As United seeks to build on this victory, the focus will be on enhancing performance levels for the remainder of the season.
