Manchester United vs Manchester City - Premier League LIVE: Latest score, team news and updates as Michael Carrick takes charge of first league game in huge derby clash

'One, two, three, four, five...'

Everybody, sing it with me, you know the lyrics. 'Everybody in the car, so come on, let's ride.'

Mabo No 5 should be the theme song of this game. Why? Well, because Pep Guardiola has now seen off five Manchester United managers.

Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Ralf Rangnick, Erik ten Hag, and Ruben Amorim. All been and gone.

Now it's number six, Michael Carrick. Which of the girls from Lou Bega's song will he end up being?

This could be Guardiola's last season and last Manchester derby, so he will want to put one last manager to the sword.

Right, let's talk about this lad again. I mean, how can we not?

Kobbie Mainoo has had what you call a fall from grace. Now, that sounds harsh, but what I mean is that he went from being Manchester United's star boy, who started for England in the Euro 2024 final, to never getting a kick under Ruben Amorim.

His career almost changed at the snap of Amorim's fingers.

The Portuguese coach barely gave Mainoo a sniff of any football this season, not starting him once in the Premier League, giving him only a few minutes at the end of games.

But with Michael Carrick through the door, everything has changed. Mainoo is back starting, and I'm sure the young midfielder will feel he has a point to prove.

The question is: can he deliver and prove it?

Erm...

Is it just me, or does this Manchester City team look, well, a little weak?

The defensive injury problems have really impacted Pep Guardiola; just look at that back four.

Yes, Abdukodir Khusanov and Max Alleyne were brilliant the other day at Newcastle, but still, the lack of senior defenders is a worry.

Elsewhere, Antoine Semenyo continues on the wing.

Not already?

Manchester United's managers always seem to have their starting line-ups leaked, but I'm not sure I've ever seen it happen before their first game.

Well, it seems like it has today.

Michael Carrick's first XI has been leaked online, and for those who love Kobbie Mainoo, they are going to be very happy.

United leaked starting XI: Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Mainoo, Amad, Fernandes, Dorgu; Mbeumo

Would you be happy with that, United fans?

Well, who saw this coming?

When Ruben Amorim was relieved of his duties, if you told me to name 10 or 15 possible replacements, Michael Carrick's name would not have even entered my mind.

Even when it looked like it was between him and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, I just assumed the Norwegian would be the man returning to the dugout.

But here we are, Carrick is back in the United hotseat, but this time properly.

Yes, it's only an interim role, but who is to say that if he doesn't turn things around, he won't be given the permanent position?

It's a hell of a hard first fixture, the blooming Manchester derby. A baptism of fire, if you will. Now let that fire burn, baby.

Can Carrick start with a bang against the old enemy?

Red vs Blue. Red Devils vs Cityzens. Pep Guardiola vs Rube...oh wait, I mean, Michael Carrick (that is going to get some getting used to.

It's Manchester derby day.

It's a match that divides families, friendship groups, and a whole city. One of the biggest rivalries this country has to offer.

Don't get me wrong, I'm incredibly excited for this match, an in-form Manchester City looking to continue their charge down of leaders Arsenal against their wounded rivals United at the start of a new (but brief) era under Carrick.

However, the fact that this game is at 12.30 just feels wrong.

Yes, I understand the reasoning... blah, blah, blah, but the lunchtime kick-off always has a dead atmosphere, even when it's a derby. This should be the evening game.

Anyway, it's still going to be class, I hope. It better be.

Have you got yourself a cuppa, or a bevvie if you're that way inclined? If so, settle down, and let's get this party started.

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