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Michael Carrick was serenaded down the tunnel after a stunning return to the Old Trafford dugout as Manchester United manager. The ex-Red Devils ace masterminded a thumping over the legendary boss Pep Guardiola, with a 2-0 win that could've easily ended 5-0 in United's favour.

After the dismal months of the Ruben Amorim era, it was a welcome ray of sunshine for the United fans, who would've taken plenty of confidence from their side's showing. But what exactly did Carrick do to get the better of the City commander in chief? Express Sport have picked out three key decisions from United's interim boss that helped them to victory at Old Trafford.

Patrick Dorgu starting on the wing

It was probably the headline from United's starting XI, with Patrick Dorgu fancied over Matheus Cunha on the wing. But come full-time, the decision to deploy the wing-back as a forward appears to have been a masterstroke. One of the best players on the pitch was rightly rewarded with a well-taken goal to put United 2-0 up in the second half. It was a move that pinned the City fullbacks in and made it difficult for the likes of Jeremy Doku and Antoine Semenyo to make any advancements into the United final third.

Kobbie Mainoo's long-awaited return

Is it too cliché to say a player like Kobbie Mainoo just gets it? Not quite sure what it is exactly, but on a day when United needed to raise the level, the midfielder certainly did just that. Surrounded by two greats of the game in Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes, the youngster buzzed about the pitch all afternoon and was crucial to United winning the midfield battle. To think he did all of that on his first Premier League start since May as well! Too late to work his way back into the England team? We'll have to see.

Bryan Mbeumo causing havoc down the middle

One of the small positives from Darren Fletcher's winless reign was the return to goalscoring form for Benjamin Sesko. The big-money summer signing netted twice against Burnley and was being tipped to start for United in the derby. Instead, Carrick opted to go with Bryan Mbeumo down the middle, and it was yet another decision that paid off. The Cameroonian's runs in behind the City defence caused problems throughout, and if it wasn't for the brilliance of Gianluigi Donnarumma between the sticks, he would've ended up with more than one goal. Mbeumo linked up with skipper Bruno Fernandes fantastically and deservedly received a standing ovation when he came off the pitch.