Manchester United secured a vital victory against rivals Manchester City, winning 2-0 at Old Trafford on March 15, 2024. The match featured a standout performance from Bryan Mbeumo, who opened the scoring in the 65th minute, followed by a second goal from Patrick Dorgu shortly after. Although Mason Mount believed he had added a third goal, it was disallowed for offside after a review by VAR.
Mbeumo’s return to the lineup was crucial for United, who saw him and Amad reintegrated after their participation in the Africa Cup of Nations. Their inclusion led to changes in the starting XI, with Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko dropping to the bench. Notably, Zirkzee, who had been linked with a transfer during the January window, was absent from the squad due to injury, as confirmed by BBC Sport.
Despite not being on the pitch, Zirkzee celebrated the victory enthusiastically. He shared a jubilant post on social media, stating, “F****** get in!!!!” alongside an image of himself celebrating with teammates Matthijs de Ligt and Tom Heaton. His post included three laughing emojis, highlighting the team’s camaraderie. He also paid tribute to Casemiro, who was named player of the match.
This victory temporarily moved Manchester United up to fourth place in the Premier League table. However, they were soon overtaken by Liverpool, who drew 1-1 with Burnley later that day. Both teams have displayed inconsistency throughout the season, but United’s manager Michael Carrick expressed optimism for the future.
Carrick emphasized the importance of consistency for success, stating, “That’s the challenge, ultimately, and I think it needs to be a version of normal.” He acknowledged the emotional intensity of the match but stressed the necessity of maintaining high standards. “If you can find that consistency, then you’re on to a winner,” he added. Carrick also noted, “It’s a big one next week obviously, another tough one, but on the back of today we’ve got a good foundation to build on.”
Looking ahead, Zirkzee hopes to return to action soon, but his injury status and limited fixtures may affect his opportunities. The club will need to navigate a challenging schedule as they aim to solidify their position in the league standings.
