Michael Carrick admitted he took a ‘calculated gamble’ with Harry Maguire’s fitness in Manchester United’s derby victory over Manchester City.
The former captain made his return to action in last weekend’s FA Cup defeat to Brighton, coming off the bench late on after missing his side’s last 10 games with a hamstring injury.
His last start for the club was against Tottenham in early November but was thrown back into the starting XI by Michael Carrick on Saturday afternoon in his first game in charge as interim head coach.
United turned in perhaps their best performance of the season, dominating City as they sealed a 2-0 victory at Old Trafford – having also struck the woodwork twice and seen two goals ruled out for offside.
While Bruno Fernandes, Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo were electric in attack, United were resolute at the back with Maguire and Lisandro Martinez keeping City at bay. Erling Haaland did not manage a shot on target all game before being subbed off after 80 minutes.
Maguire completed the full 90 minutes with Carrick admitting post-match it was a risky decision, one he was delighted to see pay off.
‘Licha [Martinez] and Harry they were a block really and they gave us a foundation,’ Carrick said post-match. ‘I felt it was a game for experience and knowing what it feels like. It was a big ask of H [Maguire] and credit to him.
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‘It’s taken for granted sometimes what players do, but for him to play today and come through it…I’m not going to lie, it was a bit of a calculated gamble with how long he could play.
‘Could he get through it because he’s trained for two or three days after probably eight or nine weeks.
‘Just shows you what it means to him and I thought he was fantastic. I thought between him and Licha they were so solid at the back and they could give us a foundation to build up.’
Fernandes meanwhile had a sublime game, restored to his advanced role behind the striker having spent much of the season playing in central midfield under Ruben Amorim.
‘I’ve spoken to Bruno. I’ve known him a long time and I thought he was fantastic the way he played the position (no10 role).
‘He’s so clever the way he takes up spaces. He had a big disciplined role with Bryan [Mbeumo] defensively to protect the team from anything coming through the middle.’
