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Michael Carrick suggests only one Man Utd player matched Amad’s display vs Man City

Originally posted on HITC | By Adnan Riaz | Last updated Jan 18, 2026 9:53 AM ET

Michael Carrick has offered strong praise for Amad Diallo and another key first-team player after the Manchester City match.

Amad was away from Manchester United towards the end of 2025 after being called up to play for Ivory Coast at the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Ivory Coast exited the tournament in a 3-2 quarter-final loss to Egypt last week, and the 23-year-old winger has since returned to Old Trafford.

During his six-game absence, United parted ways with Ruben Amorim. Since then, Michael Carrick has stepped in as interim head coach.

Carrick wasted no time giving Diallo a chance to impress, naming him in the starting XI against Manchester City on Saturday. And this decision clearly paid off.

Michael Carrick’s take on Amad Diallo and Patrick Dorgu after Manchester United’s victory over Man City

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Amad played the full 90 minutes as Manchester United beat Manchester City 2-0 in the Premier League on Saturday.

He played on the right in Carrick’s 4-2-3-1 set-up and was a constant threat going forward for the Red Devils.

Bruno Fernandes took up the number 10 role, while Patrick Dorgu operated on the opposite wing, with Bryan Mbeumo leading the line against City.

After United’s win, Carrick highlighted to Sky Sports how both Amad and Dorgu contributed at both ends of the pitch.

“I am not going to say too much with respect to Pep, he is such an incredible coach and it is such a good team.

“It is not for me to pick them apart publicly. We wanted to play to our strengths. The two wide lads, Amad and Dorgu, were fantastic both ways.”

Michael Carrick also had praise for three other Manchester United players after the City match

The breakthrough came from Mbeumo in the second half of the derby, before Dorgu added a second to seal a 2-0 win for Manchester United.

It was a strong start to Carrick’s time as interim manager, with Old Trafford enjoying a deserved result over their rivals.

The interim head coach also took time to acknowledge how Mbeumo, Fernandes, and Cunha played their part in the result, just as he did with Amad and Dorgu.

“Mbeumo and Bruno, Cunha coming on and making the difference, Mount nearly getting the goal,” he continued.

“Everything was what we hoped for.”

Carrick’s next match will be against league leaders Arsenal at the Emirates on 25th January.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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