Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola (L) shakes hands with Manchester United's Michael Carrick (R) after United's 2-0 win in an English Premier League match on Saturday. Photo: DARREN STAPLES
A transformed Manchester United have kicked off interim manager Michael Carrick's second stint in charge with an exhilarating 2-0 derby day defeat of Manchester City in the English Premier League at a vibrant Old Trafford.
Carrick's attack-minded side swept away the gloom hanging over the club, with second-half goals by Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu underlining their dominance of a disappointing City whose title hopes suffered a crushing blow.
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"It's unbelievable, being here with our people, with the fans, the way we have suffered during the season but today we faced up and showed who we are," United defender Lisandro Martinez told Sky Sports.
"Michael [Carrick] said use the energy of the people and today we did it."
City managed only one effort on target -- a header by Max Alleyne superbly saved by Senne Lammens -- as United snuffed out Haaland and Antoine Semenyo.
"The better team won. They were better. When a team is better you have to accept it," Guardiola said. "They had the energy we didn't have, so congratulations."
The win was United's up to fifth on 35 points.
Meantime, Arsenal continue to lead the league by seven points, despite being held to a scoreless draw by Nottingham Forest.
Arsenal lead the standings on 50 points, seven ahead of Manchester City and third-placed Aston Villa, who play Everton later this weekend.
Forest are now 17th on 22 points, five points clear of the relegation zone.
Liverpool remain in fourth on 36 points, despite also failing to win today, finishing 1-1 with Burnley... their fourth draw in a row, with their fans sharing their frustration with resounding boos, for not getting the three points at home to their relegation-threatened opponents.
Liverpool controlled the game well as they took the lead through Florian Wirtz before the break, but rued the slack defending that led to Marcus Edwards equalising for 19th-placed Burnley in the second half.
Chelsea have moved back up to sixth beating London neighbours Brentford 2-0 in the first Premier League match under coach Liam Rosenior thanks to a Joao Pedro strike and a Cole Palmer penalty, but they were let off the hook as the visitors wasted a string of chances.
After a run of nine league games with only one win, most of which was under former coach Enzo Maresca who left the club on 1 January, Chelsea managed only two attempts on target all game with Brentford on top for much of each half. But, they made them count.
In another London derby, West Ham got the win over struggling Tottenham Hotspur, 2-1, their first victory in 11 Premier League games.
The loss for Spurs though, had their under-fire coach Thomas Frank conceding he is in the 'perfect storm' after being taunted by his own fans.
The Dane left the pitch to chants of "sacked in the morning" from Tottenham fans who endured yet another home defeat.
Tottenham have won just twice in 11 home Premier League games this season.
In other results, Sunderland beat Crystal Palace 2-1 to move into eighth spot in the table, while Leeds United picked up a vital three points to move eight points above the relegation zone, beating Fulham 1-0.
