Manchester United’s resurgence under interim boss Michael Carrick reached new heights this Sunday as the Red Devils secured a pulsating 3-2 victory over league leaders Arsenal.
In a week that will go down in Old Trafford folklore, Carrick has now guided United to victories over both Manchester City and Arsenal in a matter of days. Despite Arsenal’s dominance for long stretches, United’s clinical finishing led by a stunning strike from Patrick Dorgu and a decisive cameo from Matheus Cunha blew the title race wide open.
Dorgu’s Screamer and Cunha’s Final Word
The match exploded into life when Patrick Dorgu unleashed a world-class effort to silence the Emirates crowd. Arsenal fought back through a Lisandro Martínez own goal and a strike from Mikel Merino, but United refused to buckle.
Coming off the bench in the second half, United’s number 10, Matheus Cunha, proved to be the game-changer. The Brazilian combined brilliantly with Bruno Fernandes before slotting home the winner, while Bryan Mbeumo also found the net to cap off a clinical attacking display.
Brazilian Excellence: Casemiro and Cunha Shine
While Cunha took the headlines for the goal, Casemiro delivered a defensive masterclass in midfield. Playing the full 90 minutes, the veteran Brazilian recorded:
- 4 Clearances and 1 Blocked Shot.
- 88% Pass Accuracy.
- 1 Big Chance Created.
On the other side, Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus struggled to replicate his midweek Champions League heroics against Inter Milan. He was replaced in the second half by Viktor Gyökeres, as Mikel Arteta desperately sought an equalizer that never came.
A MASSIVE RESULT IN THE CAPITAL 💪
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 25, 2026
The Carrick Dilemma: Interim or Permanent?
The victory leaves the Manchester United board with a significant decision to make. While the plan remains to evaluate candidates for the 2026/27 season, Carrick’s ability to defeat the league’s top two teams in a week has sparked a “Carrick-in” movement among the fans.
For Arsenal, the defeat is a massive blow. With Manchester City winning their fixture, the gap at the top has been slashed to just four points, setting up a tantalizing sprint for the Premier League crown.
Ronald Mike is a football writer covering the English Premier League, providing match analysis, tactical insight, and coverage of key rivalries and title races across the season.
